Healthy Drinks Other Than Water

COVID-19 has accelerated the promotion of well-being brands. With consumers balancing an intense modern lifestyle with the want to care for their health, people are investing more in mental and physical well-being. What better opportunity then to fill your drinks chiller with something healthier and more attune to new lifestyles.

The functional beverage trend was always set to gain traction. But with COVID-19 posing such an immense, unprecedented threat to public health, consumer demand for better-for-you options continues to rise beyond all expectations. People are looking for innovation within drinking, bored of the same old choices. Our drink ranges are the antidote to the standard drinks chiller. Embrace the new wave of adult soft drinks, low and no alcohol, and health boosting ranges.

Consumer Behaviour Shifts

Reducing sugar intake is one of the key ways people are improving their drinking habits, but cutting the sugars and calories doesn’t quite cut it in today’s current climate. COVID-19 has heightened people’s awareness of the importance of immunity boosting nutrients such as vitamin-C and zinc as they look to minimise their vulnerability to illness and disease. In fact, 80% of consumers said they plan to eat and drink healthier as a result of the pandemic, which has resulted in people becoming increasingly quick to splash the cash on products that provide benefits to their immune system and holistic health.

Millennials make up a notable portion of those consumers driving both the wellness trend and driving the increase in convenience-store shopping. Conveniently, it is to this younger audience that the new wave of soft drinks appeals the most, ticking all their boxes when it comes to on-the-go refreshment: low calorie, low sugar, nutrient dense, convenient, and most importantly, delicious. 

It's arguably, we've all become tired of fizzy drinks packed with added sugars and artificial flavourings. Your shopper wants less sugar, less calories and less sweeteners.  Consumers are also turning away from alcohol - 1 in 4 Brits no longer consumes alcohol full stop - and 28% are drinking less. At the same time, demand for natural energy alternatives is soaring. These ranges hold their own and they've become a must stock in their own right. You need to cater for the shopper who simply won’t accept the same old....

DASH WATER - RRP £1.29

DASH make British sparking spring waters infused with wonky fruit and vegetable for subtle dash of flavour. All drinks are made up of just three simple ingredients; spring water, wonky fruit / veg and of bubbles! UK households waste 4.5m tonnes of food each year, and in previous years, more than 50 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables grown across Europe were discarded simply for being ‘too ugly’ for the supermarkets. DASH tackles this problem head - appealing to both the health and environment conscious shopper. A great sparkling treat to enjoy at any time of day.

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A Turn Away from Alcohol

While Dry January is a popular way to start the year on a healthier note, more and more people are jumping on the alcohol-free lifestyle year-round. Millennials and Generation Z are especially drinking less - Over a quarter of UK adults bought in to the low and no category last year - in general and it was inevitable drink brands would come up with a creative solutions. 

NIX KIX - RRP £1.40

The drink with a ZING! All natural, low calorie, vegan with refreshingly different flavours that lift the spirit. No added sugar, great taste.

Discovering that just the right hint of cayenne gives each one of these drinks their refreshing zing but means there's no need to add any sugar or artificial ingredients. Also, cayenne contains capsaicin which boosts metabolism and increases endorphins.

Natural Energy Boost

Sports and energy drinks exploded on to the scene two decades ago and has since become a mainstay everyday product for many consumers in the UK. As consumers increasingly look for quick ways to reduce their daily sugar intake, innovative brands have taken the lead, replacing refined sugars with natural alternatives – making them a great choice for a range a wider audience.

VIRTUE - RRP £1.49

Virtue Clean Energy is a range of healthy energy drink, with zero sugar and zero calories, made with all natural ingredients. A delicious clean alternative to traditional energy drinks. With the same amount of natural caffeine (80mg) as the leading energy drink or coffee. The natural energy is sourced from green coffee beans, plus B-vitamins. Each can sold donates to the conservation of plants, animals and natural communities in the rainforest. 

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Enhanced Waters

Enhanced water is a category where added ingredients such vitamins and minerals have become a staple. Essentially, they take the goodness of water but with the addition of health boosting ingredients. Most enhanced waters are lower in calories than non-diet soft drinks but offer something more than your standard bottle of water.

ACTIPH WATER - RRP £1.39

Actiph is a supercharged water, helping consumers to take their day to the next level. The first ionised water launched in the UK, with a pH level of 9.0 or higher. Actiph provides an alkaline alternative to our increasingly acidic diets – think alcohol, sugar, red meat. Health boosting benefits include increased energy, improved digestive health, clearer skin and better physical and mental performance. Actiph was Europe’s first and now leading alkaline ionised water. It makes ordinary water look, well, ordinary! With no ‘nasties’ – no sugar, no artificial sweeteners, no caffeine and makes your drinks fridge look great too!

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Vitamin & Immunity Boosting

Through an emphasis on functional foods, wellness-focused brands are making it easier to get consumers looking after their mental and physical health. The rise and evolution of wellness-focused diets such as paleo, keto and high fibre have shown consumers is a clear signs consumers are wanting to look after themselves. Health conscious consumers looking for something that fits their lifestyle better and vitamin drinks have become a must stock category.

VIT HIT- RRP £1.49

VITHIT is a low calorie, low sugar, full of flavour, high vitamin drink. Created to combat the lack of healthy soft drinks available in store fridges, VITHIT stands out amongst the abundance of sugar-filled soft drinks available as a tasty alternative that satisfies the needs of today’s increasingly health-conscious consumer. Delivering 100% of your recommended daily allowance of eight essential vitamins in each bottle, plus health giving teas and herbs for overall well being, VITHIT enables both consumers and retailers to benefit from the empowering functional beverage trend that continues to gather momentum in 2021.

Range Planning with Epicurium

Did you like our content? Has this advice helped inspire you to refresh your drinks fridge? As experts in healthy drinks, the team at Epicurium have compiled an the best healthy drinks from the most innovative brands - from sure fire hits to some of the freshest new brands on the market. With independent brands stealing a march on the more established brand names, driven by authenticity and a strong online brand presence. Take a look at some of the new products you could be stocking to capture a greater share of the snacking audience by visiting our website. With a quick turnaround of 24-48 hours, no minimum order number and free delivery on any order over £80, our team here at Epicurium can have you tapping into freshest healthy drinks in no time.