People have no choice but to soak medlar in a thermos cup. As consumers continue to pay attention to human health, they are increasingly turning to foods and beverages that add ingredients from the same source of medicine and food. Functional immune health ingredients such as turmeric, elderberry and green tea are also becoming more and more common in innovative beverage formulations.

According to the statistics of SPINS LLC in Chicago, as of April 21, the market size of room temperature functional beverages in the past year was 3.3 billion US dollars, up 11.7 percent from last year.

The big health trend is also one of the biggest reasons for the rapid development of functional beverages. Consumers have a high demand for beverages that improve immunity or can help fight diseases.

Looking at the global functional beverage market today, although ingredients that contribute to immune health are also appearing in categories such as water and sparkling water, juice and tea are still the most common categories of added immune ingredients. Many brands have added antioxidant-rich fruits or medicinal mushrooms to their products, and bioactive substances containing flavonoids have also been high in the functional beverage ingredient list, becoming the basic driving force for innovative functional foods and beverages.

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plant-derived immune functional components

In order to help resist diseases, the use of vitamin C alone can no longer meet the innovative needs of beverage manufacturers. A variety of functional ingredients have been applied to beverages, and functional herbal ingredients such as turmeric and elderberry have received widespread attention.

Medlie (formerly Zupa Noma) of Sonoma, California, is a line of plant-based energy drinks that incorporate anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory immune ingredients such as ginger and turmeric, as well as vitamin C from carrots and oranges to help consumers balance and restore their immune systems. People have no choice but to soak medlar in a thermos cup. As consumers continue to pay attention to human health, they are increasingly turning to foods and beverages that add ingredients from the same source of medicine and food. Functional immune health ingredients such as turmeric, elderberry and green tea are also becoming more and more common in innovative beverage formulations.

According to the statistics of SPINS LLC in Chicago, as of April 21, the market size of room temperature functional beverages in the past year was 3.3 billion US dollars, up 11.7 percent from last year.

The big health trend is also one of the biggest reasons for the rapid development of functional beverages. Consumers have a high demand for beverages that improve immunity or can help fight diseases.

Looking at the global functional beverage market today, although ingredients that contribute to immune health are also appearing in categories such as water and sparkling water, juice and tea are still the most common categories of added immune ingredients. Many brands have added antioxidant-rich fruits or medicinal mushrooms to their products, and bioactive substances containing flavonoids have also been high in the functional beverage ingredient list, becoming the basic driving force for innovative functional foods and beverages.

01

plant-derived immune functional components

In order to help resist diseases, the use of vitamin C alone can no longer meet the innovative needs of beverage manufacturers. A variety of functional ingredients have been applied to beverages, and functional herbal ingredients such as turmeric and elderberry have received widespread attention.

Medlie (formerly Zupa Noma) of Sonoma, California, is a line of plant-based energy drinks that incorporate anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory immune ingredients such as ginger and turmeric, as well as vitamin C from carrots and oranges to help consumers balance and restore their immune systems.

Another popular ingredient is the black elderberry. Although black elderberry has a long history as a medicinal berry, the latest research and media attention have raised awareness of the immune-enhancing abilities of elderberry, especially in cold and flu areas. The functionality of black elderberry comes from its unique flavonoid compounds, anthocyanins, which are also the main components of its deep purple black color.

Artemis International's Berry ceuticals brand has launched a ElderCraft berry extract that has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms.

Numi organic tea in Oakland, California, also takes advantage of the immune properties of elderberry, and the brand recently launched a line of daily organic energy drinks with five flavors. One is made from elderberries, pomegranates and chili peppers and is designed to help consumers boost their immune systems.

Florida-based Natalie's OrchidIsland Juice combines the features of turmeric and elderberry to launch a line of Holistic juices with health and wellness benefits. Among them, Resilient mixed blood orange with turmeric, elderberry, black pepper and ginger to help strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation.

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Probiotic immune components

Although probiotics are often associated with digestive system and intestinal health, more and more studies are beginning to focus on their important role in the immune system.

Packaged Facts has published a report highlighting the benefits of probiotics to support and improve the immune system, and pointed out that vitamin C, echinacea and zinc are all necessary, but considering the close connection between the digestive system and the immune system, probiotics and prebiotics The role played in immune health is self-evident.

Drinks like kombucha are multi-functional, both improving digestion and inhibiting the growth of harmful intestinal bacteria, thereby enhancing immunity. One of the main selling points of the probiotic bubble drink, KeVita, a probiotic beverage brand acquired by Pepsi, is that it is rich in active probiotics, which help support immune and digestive health.

As more and more consumers recognize the positive impact of probiotics on overall health, the global retail market for probiotics will continue to be hot. Data show that by the end of 2024, the global probiotic retail market is expected to reach $77.85 billion, a compound annual growth rate of 5.8; at the same time, the global probiotic ingredients market is expected to reach $2.45 billion, a compound annual growth rate of 6.91.

However, Mintel's data shows that from the perspective of new products on the market, although the number of products claiming to have immune function is increasing, only a small part of the products use probiotic ingredients, and the largest proportion is vitamins and dietary supplements., Followed by meal replacement and other drinks. This means that manufacturers and brands can reinforce and make immune claims by using probiotics in their products.

In the domestic market, in order to meet the needs of consumers, Fonterra's global dairy raw material brand NZMP has launched two probiotic strains for the sports and active lifestyle markets-Lactobacillus subsp. animalis HN019 (named BifidoB 019) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 (named LactoB 001). Both were originally developed in New Zealand in the late 1990 s and are derived from food. The former is derived from yogurt culture sources, while LactoB 001 is isolated from cheese.

Both strains have years of evidence from clinical studies that have confirmed their generally prized benefits, such as improved digestive and intestinal health, and enhanced immune support and maintenance. Especially in the elderly, where the immune system is usually poor, both probiotic strains can exhibit significant immune-enhancing effects.

Studies have shown that probiotics can support immune function by promoting different aspects of the body's natural immune defenses. For example, LactoB 019 appears to help prevent Clostridium difficile, a pathogen associated with recurrent diarrhea, and also reduce intestinal colonization due to the sporadic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). While BifidoB 019 appears to protect infants and young children from respiratory infections, although this study has not yet been replicated in adults, the potential to reduce the risk of cold and flu-type illnesses clearly warrants further investigation.

In short, this means that brands and companies can customize probiotic products to help people whose immunity is suppressed due to stress and excessive exercise.

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Summary

According to Holly McHugh, vice president of marketing at drinks company Imbibe, immunity-boosting drinks are especially popular among millennials and Generation X. Such consumers have usually left the campus and suffered from work pressure, and many of them have school-age children, so they need more convenient health management in today's fast-paced life.

In addition to this, certain health issues may also drive the need for immunity-boosting drinks, such as the annual flu issue that has raised awareness of immunity and an understanding of how the immune system works.

However, drinks aimed at boosting immunity should not be limited to a specific time or a specific group of people, but should be targeted at the general population, because everyone's immune system and gut deserve constant attention and care.