Plant Extracts Commonly Used In Functional Beverages

In recent years, energy drinks have shown a trend of prosperity, both in terms of consumption growth, market expansion and new product launches. The development of energy drinks stems from consumers' demands for health. Vitamins, minerals, plant extracts and other nutrients, as well as non-preservatives, natural, organic, and low-sugar features are all consumers' concerns when choosing energy drinks.

Among the subdivided products of energy drinks, the consumption growth of functional beverages with natural ingredients is the largest, and consumers are very interested in energy drinks with all-natural ingredients. Data show that in 2011, the sales of natural and organic food and beverages in the United States were close to 39 billion U.S. dollars, and in 2015, sales exceeded 78 billion U.S. dollars.

Most natural ingredients come from plant extracts. In the European and American markets, which plant extracts are the most popular energy drink ingredients?

Plant Extracts Commonly Used In Functional Beverages

Energy drinks are mostly used to replenish physical strength and improve energy, so the added plant ingredients either contain natural caffeine or contain a lot of nutrients. The following are common plant ingredients for energy drinks.

Guarana Extract

Guarana is also known as Brazilian cocoa. Its seeds contain 2.5%-7.0% guaranaine. It is a central nervous system stimulant that enhances heart rate and contractility, inhibits platelet aggregation, promotes gastric acid secretion, and causes polyuria and relaxation. Extracerebral blood vessels and bronchial smooth muscles promote the release of catecholamines and indirectly inhibit the release of histamine. Different from traditional caffeine functional health products, the natural caffeine contained in Guarana can gradually and slowly stimulate the nerves, the stimulation is maintained for a long period of time, and the stimulation is relatively mild, which is not harmful to the human body. Long-term consumption has the effects of refreshing the brain, nourishing yin and strengthening yang, controlling appetite, relieving abdominal pain, restoring physical strength, replenishing energy, and strengthening the body.

Kola Nut Extract

Kola nuts are native to tropical Africa. Local indigenous people have long chewed and consumed kola nuts as stimulants and fatigue recovery agents. The main ingredients are theobromine, essential oil, glycosides, and cola. In addition, kola nuts can accelerate the body's metabolism and achieve the effect of burning fat.

Maca Extract

Maca contains alkaloids, glucosinolates, vitamins, proteins, amino acids, polysaccharides, minerals and a variety of natural plant active ingredients. Maca's various alkaloids can regulate the functions of adrenal glands, pancreas, ovary, etc., and balance hormone levels in the body; rich taurine, protein, etc. can regulate and repair physiological functions, improve blood and relieve symptoms of menopause; iron, protein, Amino acids, mineral zinc, etc. can help strengthen the immune system, enhance the body's resistance to disease, resist fatigue, and improve symptoms of anemia.

Cistanche Extract

Modern studies have shown that Cistanche has various effects such as improving kidney function, enhancing memory, alleviating Alzheimer's disease, delaying aging, anti-fatigue, and regulating immune function. It mainly improves memory through 4 ways: 1. Protect nerve cells and inhibit nerve cell apoptosis; 2. Promote the growth and repair of nerve cells; 3. Increase the release of neurotransmitters in the brain; 4. Improve cerebral circulation, right It is very effective for mental workers to improve work efficiency. In addition, ginseng extract, green tea extract, etc. are common energy drink ingredients.

Emerging Plant Extracts Have Attracted Much Attention

With the introduction of the concept of superfoods, some emerging plant ingredients have attracted much attention and are used more and more frequently in food and beverages.

Acai Berry Extract

Acai berry is the favorite healthy weight-loss food for Americans, and is native to Brazil. Acai berry is rich in a variety of vitamins and antioxidants. It has very obvious effects on the human body. It is mainly reflected in anti-oxidation, anti-free radicals, strengthening skin immunity, anti-aging, maintaining oil-water balance of oily skin, and reducing cholesterol.

Acai berry is a food for weight loss and anti-aging. It is rich in dietary fiber and high-value oils, as well as a variety of essential nutrients for the body: potassium, calcium, iron, vitamin E and vitamin A.

Bilberry Extract

Bilberry is a small purple-blue or purple-red berry produced in Northern Europe. The main active ingredient is anthocyanin. The appearance of bilberry is very similar to blueberry, but compared with blueberry, the anthocyanin content of bilberry is 4-5 times higher, and the health effect is better.

Bilberry is gradually recognized and loved by people because of its benefits for eyesight and prevention of vascular sclerosis. Regular consumption of bilberry can reduce the damage of free radicals to the eye lens and retina and prevent retinopathy; it can also enhance the flexibility of capillaries, promote microcirculation in the eye, and improve vision. In addition, bilberry can prevent cancer and improve chronic hepatitis B.

Wolfberry Extract

Wolfberry is already a commonly used health food in my country, but it is a very popular emerging ingredient in Western countries. Lycium barbarum has always been used as a medicinal material to nourish the liver and kidneys. It also has immunomodulatory effects and promotes hematopoietic function, as well as anti-aging, anti-mutation, anti-tumor, regulating blood lipids, protecting liver and anti-fatty liver, regulating blood sugar, and regulating Blood pressure effect.

With the further expansion of the functional beverage market, more natural plant extracts will be used as ingredients in beverages, bringing new vitality to the plant extract industry.