Popular natural energy drinks in Europe, America
In recent years, energy drinks have shown a prosperous trend, with rapid development in terms of consumption growth, market capacity and new product launch. The development of energy drinks stems from consumers' demands for health. Nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, as well as preservatives-free, natural, organic, and low-sugar characteristics are all consumers' concerns when choosing energy drinks.
In the energy drink segment, the consumption growth of functional drinks 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 US dollars, and in 2015, sales exceeded 78 billion US dollars.
Most natural ingredients come fromPlant extractsIn 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, also known as Brazilian cocoa, its seeds contain 2.5% to 7.0% guarana, which is a central nervous system stimulant, which enhances heart rate and contraction, inhibits platelet agglutination, promotes gastric acid secretion, causes polyuria, relaxes extracerebral blood vessels and bronchial smooth muscles, promotes catecholamine release, and indirectly inhibits histamine release. Unlike traditional caffeine functional health products, the natural caffeine contained in Guarana can gradually and slowly stimulate nerves, stimulate and maintain a long valid period, and the stimulation is relatively mild and does not harm the human body. Long-term consumption has the effects of refreshing the brain, nourishing yin and aphrodisiac, controlling appetite, relieving abdominal pain, restoring physical strength, replenishing energy, and strengthening the body.
kola nut extract
The kola fruit is native to tropical Africa. The local indigenous people have long chewed and eaten kola fruit as a stimulant and fatigue recovery agent. Its main ingredients are cocoa bean base, essential oil, glycoside, and kola base. In addition, kola fruit can also 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 the adrenal gland, pancreas, ovaries, etc., and balance hormone levels in the body; rich taurine, protein, etc. can regulate and repair physiological functions, improve qi and blood and relieve menopausal symptoms; iron, protein, amino acids, mineral zinc, etc. can help strengthen the immune system, enhance the body's disease resistance, resist fatigue, and improve anemia symptoms.
Cistanche extract
Modern studies have shown that Cistanche has many effects such as improving kidney function, enhancing memory, relieving Alzheimer's disease, delaying aging, anti-fatigue, and regulating immune function. It mainly improves memory in four ways: 1. Protect nerve cells and inhibit apoptosis of nerve cells; 2. Promote the growth and repair of nerve cells; 3. Increase the release of neurotransmitters in the brain; 4. Improve cerebral circulation, which is very effective for brain workers to improve work efficiency.
In addition, ginseng extract, green tea extract, etc. are all common energy drink ingredients.
Emerging plant extracts attract much attention
With the introduction of the concept of superfoods, some emerging plant ingredients have begun to attract attention and are being used more and more frequently in food and beverages.
Acai Berry Extract
Acai berries are Americans' favorite healthy weight loss food, originating in Brazil. Acai berries are rich in a variety of vitamins and antioxidants, which have very obvious effects on the human body, mainly reflected in antioxidants, anti-free radicals, enhancing skin immunity, anti-aging, maintaining oil and water balance in oily skin, and lowering cholesterol.
Acai berries are both weight loss and anti-aging foods. They are rich in dietary fiber and high-value oils. They are also rich in a variety of essential nutrients for the body: potassium, calcium, iron, vitamin E, and vitamin A.
Bilberry Extract
Bilberry is a small berry from northern Europe that can appear purple-blue or purple-red, and the main active ingredient is anthocyanins. Bilberry looks very similar to blueberries, but compared to blueberries, the content of anthocyanins in bilberries is 4-5 times higher, which is better for health.
Bilberry is gradually recognized and loved by people because of its benefits for vision and prevention of arteriosclerosis. Regular consumption of bilberry can reduce the damage of free radicals to the lens and retina of the eye, prevent retinopathy; it can also enhance the flexibility of capillaries, promote microcirculation in the eye, and then improve vision. In addition, bilberry can prevent cancer and improve chronic hepatitis B.
Lycium barbarum extract
Lycium barbarum is already a commonly used health food in our country, but it is a very popular emerging ingredient in Western countries. Lycium barbarum has been used as a medicinal material to nourish the liver and kidney. At the same time, it has immunomodulatory effects and promotes hematopoietic function. There are also anti-aging, anti-mutation, anti-tumor, blood lipid regulation, liver protection and anti-fatty liver, blood sugar regulation, blood pressure regulation.
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.
