The Rise and Benefits of the Use of Natural Extracts in Beverages

Steven Rumsey, Director, Innovation & Technology at Duas Rodas

Attaining health and wellness requires a balanced nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being. Lifestyle constraints and individual needs can make balanced nutrition difficult to achieve through food alone. Nutritional supplements and natural extracts offer convenient and functional nutrition to support a healthy lifestyle.

Natural extracts in beverages offer numerous benefits including: Clean Label Appeal - providing flavor and aroma without synthetic additives; Health Benefits - containing bioactive compounds like antioxidants and vitamins; and Flavor and Aroma enhancement – enriching taste without excessive calories or sugar.   

The use of botanical extracts specifically in beverages offers several advantages over other food formats, such as:

1. Enhanced Bioavailability: Beverages enable faster absorption and increased bioavailability of active compounds compared to solid food or supplements, ensuring quicker and more effective nutrient delivery.

2. Convenience and Portability: Ready-to-drink beverages provide a convenient, portable option for busy consumers to consume botanical extracts on-the-go.

3. Taste and Flavor: Beverages allow for the delivery of unique, appealing flavor profiles by combining botanical extracts with other ingredients, making them more palatable and enjoyable.

4. Versatility: Incorporating a wide range of botanical extracts in various beverage types, from teas to functional waters, enables manufacturers to create diverse products targeting different health benefits and consumer preferences.

5. Hydration: Beverages with added botanical extracts contribute to overall hydration, offering a more flavorful way for consumers to meet daily hydration needs.

6. Consumer Perception: Beverages with botanical extracts create a positive perception of health and wellness, as awareness of a healthy lifestyle grows. They are a convenient and attractive way to incorporate beneficial nutrients.

7. Innovation and Product Differentiation: Including botanical extracts in beverages allows manufacturers to innovate and differentiate their products in a competitive market, creating unique, health-promoting products that appeal to consumers.

Popular and emerging natural extracts from Latin America include:

Guarana Extract, native to the Amazon Basin, is derived from Paullinia cupana seeds and has long been used for its natural stimulant properties. It contains caffeine, theobromine, and other bioactive compounds, which can improve mental focus, increase energy levels, and support weight management.

“Attaining health and wellness requires balanced nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being. Lifestyle constraints and individual needs can make balanced nutrition difficult to achieve through food alone”

Acerola Cherry Extract, from Malpighia emarginata fruit, is a rich source of vitamin C, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients. Acerola cherries contain higher amounts of vitamin C than oranges, making them excellent for boosting immune function and promoting overall health.

Yerba Mate Extract, from Ilex Paraguariensis leaves, is a traditional South American beverage known for its unique combination of natural stimulants, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Yerba mate contains caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline, which can increase energy levels, enhance mental focus, and improve physical performance. Its high antioxidant content has been linked to various health benefits, such as reduced inflammation and improved heart health

Acai Extract, sourced from Euterpe oleracea e Euterpe edulis berries, is native to Central and South America and is packed with anthocyanin antioxidants, associated with improved brain function, reduced inflammation, and anti-cancer properties.

Hibiscus Extract, from Hibiscus sabdariffa flowers, rich in antioxidants, is associated with improving blood pressure and liver health. Its tart, fruity flavor and vibrant red color make it well suited to herbal teas, flavored waters, and cocktails.

Jabuticaba Extract, sourced from Myrciaria cauliflora fruit, is a native Brazilian fruit known for its distinctive grape-like flavor and deep purple color. It is rich in anthocyanin antioxidants and linked to improved heart health, reduced inflammation, and cancer prevention.

Pitaya Extract, also known as dragon fruit extract, is derived from Hylocereus spp., a cactus species native to Central and South America. It is rich in antioxidants, offering health benefits such as improved digestion, immune support, and anti-aging properties.

The use of natural extracts in beverages offers numerous advantages, such as satisfying consumer demand for clean label products, providing health benefits, and enhancing flavor and aroma. Manufacturers can use a wide range of extracts to create innovative, differentiated, appealing, and healthy beverages catering to evolving consumer preferences. 

Incorporating natural extracts into beverages can also contribute to a perception of sustainability efforts through responsible and sustainable sourcing, preserving valuable ecosystems, and promoting environmentally friendly practices. As consumer awareness of sustainable and ethically sourced products grows, responsibly managed natural extracts can enhance the appeal of beverages to eco-conscious consumers. As a company born amidst the largest forest biome in the world, the Brazilian multinational, Duas Rodas,  is inspired by and manages regional diversity of natural products to offer excellent opportunities for the marketplace.   

In conclusion, using natural extracts in beverages presents opportunities to contribute to global health and wellness and meet consumer demand for evolving consumer demands.  Embracing this trend can help manufacturers create innovative beverages with great taste, tangible benefits, and differentiation.