Coffee

Probiotics hit the cold brew coffee category

20-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

Brooklyn-based cold-pressed juice firm JÙS by Julie has scored an industry-first with the launch of a new cold brew coffee infused with probiotics in original and vanilla flavors.

Optimum aims at hole in market with launch of Trusource sports brand for Kroger

16-Dec-2015 By Hank Schultz

Optimum Nutrition is seeking to reach a new set of average consumers with a sports brand called Trusource that will launch at Kroger stores nationwide.

“There is significant opportunity for relaxation beverages," Traditional Medicinals manager says

24-Nov-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Traditional Medicinals sees untapped potential for growth in the emerging calming beverage category, which consumers are turning to for help counterbalancing the effects of popular energy drinks and everyday stress.

Ex-POM exec: Coffee fruit is the next big thing in functional foods, beverages

04-Nov-2015 By Elaine Watson

KonaRed – the Hawaii-based company on a mission to make coffee fruit the next big thing in functional foods and beverages – has similar challenges to those POM Wonderful faced when it first got started, but has the potential to be equally successful,...

Coffee polyphenol may help manage blood sugar in healthy people: Study

26-Aug-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Polyphenols from coffee may improve blood sugar levels and boost endothelial function in healthy men, says a new study from Japan.

Bai Brands under fire over 'antioxidant-packed' claims as judge allows false advertising lawsuit to proceed

12-Aug-2015 By Elaine Watson

Beverage industry superstar Bai Brands – which hit the headlines this week with the launch of antioxidant-infused Antiwater – has also attracted the attention of plaintiff’s attorneys in California, which claim it played fast and loose with food labeling...

Summer Fancy Food Show

U.S. tea sales climb as consumers seek healthy drinks & new flavors

09-Jul-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Sales of tea in the U.S. are growing quickly as more Americans are drawn to the beverage for its health benefits, rich history and artisanal qualities, according to industry stakeholders.

New natural, cost-effective blocker for health-promoting, but bitter, phytochemicals

02-Jul-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Geneva-based Natural Taste Consulting (NTC) is launching a plant-derived bitter blocker for applications such as dark chocolate, instant coffee, teas, energy drink and dietary supplements.

Sales of energy shots slump as consumers reach for drinks instead

16-Jun-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Sales of energy shots are slumping as their medicinal taste and less favorable position as a supplement drive consumers to reach for energy drinks, which many shoppers consider safer, according to new research from Mintel Group.

Special edition: Authentic Tea Tastes

The next kale? Carela conquers bitter melon with beverages for sugar-conscious consumers

01-May-2015 By Rachel Arthur

Tea and beverage company Carela says it has taken the ‘horrendous’ taste of Asian bitter melon and turned it into attractive beverages for millions of Americans who are worried about their sugar intake.

Researchers explore the functional potential of green coffee beans

30-Mar-2015 By Nathan Gray

There is strong potential for the use of ground green coffee beans to be used directly as a functional ingredient in supplements and foods, say researchers.

Energy drinks increase hyperactivity in children: Study

10-Feb-2015 By Rachel Arthur

Children who drink sweetened energy drinks are 66% more likely to be at risk from hyperactivity and inattention symptoms, according to a study in the journal Academic Pediatrics.

NPA’s Fabricant on caffeine: 'We don’t want to get into a position where Senators are using a court of public opinion to regulate the industry'

29-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Science and an evaluation of risk must inform any regulatory decision on powdered pure caffeine products and not Senators usurping the law, says the Natural Products Association’s Dr Daniel Fabricant.

Convenience stores emerge as health food destination

28-Jan-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

More consumers are seeking healthy foods and beverages at convenience stores, creating an opportunity in a previously often overlooked channel for manufacturers of these products to expand their reach, according to new market research from Technomic.

Hangover beverage debuts in Las Vegas

28-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

A new energy drink is seeking a middle path in the sphere, trying to find space between the shot market and bigger serving size cans. Called Last Shot, the product is the subject of a distribution agreement between EQ Labs and Liquid Health Labs, Inc.

KonaRed rapidly expands distribution in wake of licensing pact with VDF Futureceuticals

30-Sep-2014 By Hank Schultz

Six months after resolving an IP fight with a competitor turned collaborator, KonaRed Corporation has made rapid progress in moving its coffee fruit beverage into nationwide distribution.

Special edition: Inside Europe's food supplement markets

Polish polyphenol study identifies coffee, tea and chocolate as top contributors

24-Sep-2014 By Nathan Gray

A population-level analysis of polyphenol intakes in Poland has revealed that coffee, tea and chocolate contribute around 75% of the polyphenols consumed in the country.

Coffee may hydrate athletes just like water: Researcher

31-Jul-2014 By Anna Bonar

Caffeine does not have a diuretic effect on regular coffee drinkers and is safe to use, says sports nutrition researcher and consultant in elite sport.

Think Drinks plans top-tier science for ‘first functional nootropic beverage’

28-Jul-2014 By Ben BOUCKLEY

US neurotech startup Think Drinks says it plans to conduct high-calibre peer-reviewed study to prove the benefits of what it claims is the world’s ‘first functional nootropic’ brain beverage.

Insights from IFT 2014

There’s no Chobani in protein drinks; market up for grabs

24-Jun-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

As protein appears primed to continue its meteoric rise, buoyed by a strong health halo among US consumers, where is there still potential for this macronutrient?

Could coffee protect DNA from damage?

09-Jun-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Regular consumption of coffee may reduce DNA damage and reduce energy intake and body fat, according to two new studies from Europe.

Applied Food Science anticipates demand with organic caffeine for energy beverages

22-May-2014 By Hank Schultz

Applied Food Sciences has debuted an all-natural caffeine ingredient for energy beverage formulations. The ingredient will a boon in a market crowded with synthetic ingredients, the company said.

'One and a half more cups of coffee for the non-diabetic road'

25-Apr-2014 By Ben BOUCKLEY

One and a half cups of coffee a day reduces the risk of getting Type 2 diabetes by 11% according to a new study from Harvard School of Public Health.

Gutsy ambition for GoodBelly! Probiotic drinks brand eyes $50m US sales

04-Feb-2014 By Ben BOUCKLEY

GoodBelly Juice co-founder Todd Beckman says the novel drinks is targeting $50m in retail sales within the next 18 months as US consumer awareness of probiotic benefits grows.

Reaction to IOM's final report on caffeine meeting: More data needed, but new regs unlikely

20-Jan-2014 By Hank Schultz

Experts who have reviewed a report from the Institute of Medicine on a meeting on the safety of caffeine in foods and beverages have concluded that based on the information in the report, it’s unlikely that FDA will make sweeping changes to the way in...

What are the hottest trends in food and beverage? Find out at the FoodNavigator-USA business leaders round table debate

10-Jan-2014 By Elaine WATSON

What’s hot and what’s not in the US food and beverage market? Gluten-free? Chickpea snacks? Plant eggs? Gourmet popcorn?

Relaxation ice cream ahead of its time?

Relaxation beverage founder betting on sleepy time ice cream supplement

02-Dec-2013 By Maggie Hennessy

Ever found yourself unable to shake off the stress of the day even while enjoying your evening bowl of ice cream? Bebida Beverage Co. (BeBevCo), the manufacturer of Koma Unwind relaxation drink, hopes to address the roughly 100 million consumers who either...

Coffee polyphenols show heart health potential for healthy men: Study

20-Nov-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Acute ingestion of polyphenols from coffee may improve the function of the cells lining blood vessels (endothelial cells), says a new study from Japan that supports the heart health benefits of coffee constituents.

Colorado startup shakes up energy drink category with timed release caffeinated beverages

25-Oct-2013 By Hank Schultz

Colorado-based beverage startup Züm XR has made a splash with its patented technology that delivers slow, sustained caffeine release that has made its line of beverages the best sellers in their category in the western states region of Whole Foods Market,...

'Compelling data': RCT shows blueberry flavonoids boost endothelial function and heart health

11-Sep-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Flavonoids from blueberries may improve vascular function in healthy men, according to findings of two randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover human-intervention trials from Europe.

Caffeine cards are on table following IOM meeting, observers say

13-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

A recent workshop sponsored by the Institute of Medicine on caffeine and its effect in consumer products such as energy drinks was helpful in making clear the points of view of the various stakeholders, according to observers. What was less clear was...

Dispatches from VitaFoods Europe 2013

GNC relationship helps boost Stepan's Clarinol CLA ingredient for sports applications

17-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

As Stepan Liquid Nutrition looks to expand the use of its Clarinol CLA in sports nutrition products, it’s time to trot out a sports analogy. Stepan is looking for companies that are willing to step up to the plate.

Javaplant site visit - extraction in Indonesia

06-May-2013 By RJ Whitehead

FoodNavigator-Asia recently visited Indonesia's largest extraction facility, Javaplant, to look at how one of Asia's top 10 botanical, coffee and tea extractors produces products for export around the world.

Runa Tea launches energy drink based on guayusa leaf

17-Apr-2013 By Hank Schultz

Runa Tea, a Brooklyn, NY-based company that introduced line of beverages based on an Amazonian leaf to the US market, has launched an energy drink with an ultra clean label.

Lawmakers' report on energy drink labeling mirrors existing recommendations, CRN says

12-Apr-2013 By Hank Schultz

A report on labeling and marketing of energy drinks by three members of Congress matches much of what industry is already working toward, according the Council for Responsible Nutrition.

The evolution of energy drinks: What next for Monster, Red Bull and 5-Hour Energy?

04-Feb-2013 By Elaine WATSON

While the growth of the US energy drinks and shots market has been nothing short of explosive - last year it was worth $12.5bn, up 60% since 2008 - manufacturers will need to attract new users if they are to sustain such meteoric levels of growth, says...

Life after Lance: FRS acquires contract manufacturer, shuffles management team

01-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

The FRS Company, makers of the FRS energy drink and related products, announced a series of corporate moves yesterday that included a management change and the acquisition of a contract manufacturing and formulation company.

Proposed Chicago energy drink ban littered with legal errors, lawyer says

22-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

A proposed ban on energy drinks in Chicago is riddled with factual and legal errors, according to an attorney active in the dietary supplements business.

Monster Beverage Corporation: Alarmist DAWN report is highly misleading

21-Jan-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Monster Beverage Corporation has blasted a recent government report on drug-related ER visits that describes energy drinks as 'dangerous', as “highly misleading”.

Coffee fruit extract shows potential brain benefits: FutureCeuticals study

14-Jan-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A proprietary extract from the coffee fruit may boost levels of a protein known to influence and support neurons and the central nervous system, suggest new findings from a small pilot study.

Big interview: Eric Schnell, founder MetaBrand; co-founder I AM Enlightened nutrition, Healthy beverage Co (Steaz teas)

Shot in the arm: The secret to success in shots... without going head to head with 5-Hour Energy…

14-Jan-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Want to get a slice of the action in the shots category? Build a brand with a compelling story or ‘mission’, and formulate a product that delivers a discernible effect on consumers in 20-30 minutes, or you’re wasting your time, beverages and shots guru...

Coffee leaf may produce ‘healthy’ tea and other functional products

14-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

Tea brewed from the fruit and leaves of coffee plants could be a healthier option than either tea of coffee alone, according to new research.

New Canadian caffeine limits part of growing pressure on energy drink sector

03-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

The energy beverage sector had a lively 2012, marked by a high-profile wrongful death suit against Monster Beverage Co., some high-profile negative press and even higher-profile attacks from a pair of US Senators. 2013 is shaping up, if anything, to be...

BDNF-boosting coffee fruit concentrate could have applications in sports recovery as well as cognitive health

20-Dec-2012 By Elaine WATSON

Illinois-based nutraceuticals expert VDF Futureceuticals has embarked on a larger human trial of its whole coffee fruit concentrate NeuroFactor after a pilot study showed it increased plasma levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) by an average...

Tests turn up adulterated green coffee bean extracts

07-Dec-2012 By Hank Schultz

Research conducted by ingredient developer Futureceuticals has demonstrated the existence of adulterated green coffee bean extract in the marketplace and has also teased out the probable adulterants.