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It's not your average sugary, chemically-saturated, energy booster from your corner store, but a carefully crafted fusion of science and nature aimed at function.
It’s the era of the functional energy drink.
It's not your average sugary, chemically-saturated, energy booster from your corner store, but a carefully crafted fusion of science and nature aimed at function.
Health-conscious customers are meticulously scanning and researching labels to see that the products they buy are good for both their bodies and the planet. And they’re finding their answers in functional beverages. We make delicious, high-quality, nutrient-dense drinks that are more than just refreshments.
But why? What exactly is a functional energy drink? How does it rise above conventional energy beverages?
We’re here to demystify that.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- What a functional energy drink is
- Why it’s better than conventional energy drinks
- Why you need to invest in functional energy drinks
What is a Functional Energy Drink?
The defining qualities of functional beverages are that they are non-alcoholic and fortified with functional ingredients, such as minerals, vitamins, amino acids, dietary fibers, probiotics, and botanical extracts.
Functional energy drinks are the same, except they are multi-functional. They also provide additional health benefits you wouldn’t find at your local corner store's stock of energy beverages. For example, Buchi’s Living Energy drinks are enriched with probiotics, Lion's Mane and L-theanine.You can find examples of functional energy beverages in Buchi’s Living Energy lineup.
Why Functional Energy Drinks Are Better for You
Functional energy drinks are better than regular energy drinks because their caffeine and sugar content. Here’s a table summarizing their differences.
Functional vs. Conventional Energy Drinks
The Benefits of Functional Energy Drinks
When you compare the differences between regular and functional energy beverages, it’s not hard to see why you’re better off picking the latter.
1. Healthier Caffeine Source
While conventional energy drinks might use synthetic caffeine (from urea and chloroacetic acid), functional beverages use “clean” caffeine derived from natural sources like green tea, guarana, or yerba mate. Buchi’s Living Energy drinks use the green coffee extract from unroasted coffee beans.
Clean caffeine is released slowly into the bloodstream, preventing the energy spikes and subsequent crashes often associated with traditional energy drinks. This makes you more productive and alert without side effects like nervousness and difficulty sleeping.
2. Low-Moderate Sugar Content
Traditional energy drinks are packed with sugar, to say the least. Take a look at this label on Monster, a famous energy drink brand that once marketed itself as a diet supplement:
In contrast, Living Energy’s Pomegranate Citrus only has 14g of sugar per serving of 60 calories.
Functional energy drinks often use healthier sugar alternatives like agave and stevia instead of sugar. For example, much of the sweetness in Living Energy beverages comes from sustainably sourced, organic cane sugar; monk fruit extract, and the natural fruit and botanical ingredients used in the flavoring.
The adaptogens, nootropics, immune-enhancing antioxidants, and botanical extracts that put the “function” in “functional beverages” are the real heroes of these energy drinks. For example, Living Energy drinks include probiotic cultures (kombucha), L-theanine and Lion's Mane. For a natural boost that you can feel good about.
Functional Energy Drinks are a Booming Business
Suppose the virality of damp drinking — the mindful, moderated consumption of alcohol – is anything to go by, alcoholic drinks are no longer trendy, and there’s a lot of space in the bar waiting to be filled up.
As far as market forecasts go, functional energy drinks will take up much of that space. Millennials and Gen Z are swapping conventional choices like Red Bull and Monster for more wholesome beverages that are better for their health and the environment.
There are good reasons why: consumers are increasingly health conscious, and they are now seeking out clean-label, organic, and non-GMO products that are rich in functional ingredients and low in sugar.
To put things in perspective, in 2022, the global market size for functional beverages was USD 140 billion. And the most popular in that segment? Energy and sports drinks, with sales of $18.2 billion and $11.3 billion, respectively.
There is a vast market opportunity for functional energy drinks. But there’s more. This generation of consumers wants more than just health. They also want to make environmentally-friendly choices. Most Gen Z and millennial consumers research the sourcing and production practices of products they purchase. They expect brands to be walking the walk – that’s exactly what we do at FedUp Foods. As a Benefit Corporation, we aim to invest in our planet's regeneration; and use business as a conduit for positive social impact.
Join us in building the future of functional energy drinks!
As one of America's leading manufacturers in the ready-to-drink functional fermented beverage sector, FedUp Foods, proudly offers comprehensive private labeling of organic, functional beverages. Our team is at the forefront of creating functional beverages that do more than just nourish you; they contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future.
Interested in learning more? Reach out to us at FedUp Foods.
