Functional beverages: an emerging trend in beverage world

Abstract

Beverage industry has made significant progress during the last several years because of the constant and encouraging demand of varied range of beverages to compensate for seasonal demands owing to thirst-quenching effect, instant energy-releasing agent, and salt balancing effect. Artificially flavored non-fruit juice beverages are becoming more popular in the current scenario because of the low cost of production. A functional beverage is the fastest rising segment particularly in newer food product development across the world because of its convenience and meeting the demand of the consumer in terms of container contents, size, appearance, as well as ease of distribution and storage for refrigerated conditions and shelf-stable products. Consumers are more conscious about their health and demand beverages not only for the source of energy but also for the excellent delivery of some nutrients and bioactive compounds including supplements of functional nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, and prebiotics. The nutritionally sound and nutraceutical-enriched beverages are superimposing the existing trading to underline their demand at the national and international markets. The present reports highlight the advances in the rising new area of functional beverages with potential health benefits and commercial availability as well.