The Evolution of Energy: Trending Ingredient Insights for Optimized Energy

As human needs evolve, so do our energy requirements. It's evident that energy isn't one-size-fits-all, spanning from exhausted parents to elite athletes—everyone seeks heightened energy, mental clarity, and focus. Learn how we can help optimize your next energy product with optimal ingredients.

Understanding Consumer Energy Needs

In 2023, Glanbia Nutritionals initiated a comprehensive consumer study to gain profound insights into modern-day energy needs. This exploration delved into varied facets of energy. ?

Our study on modern-day energy needs revealed many key insights including:?

• 1 in 3 Americans grapple with low energy levels, notably increasing to 4 in 10 among females.
• There exists a strong correlation between low energy and poor immunity, fitness, digestive health, and mood.
• Health claims in North America highlight energy and alertness at the forefront and are showing continued signs of growth for years to come.?
• Consumers are looking for energy plus.?Combining energy plus other functional ingredients to optimize their day.
• Distinct consumer product preferences exist and differ for both Quick Burst and Sustained Vitality energy need states.*

Breaking Down Energy Management

Three energy need states emerge when we look at consumers today. Quick Burst, Gap Fill, and Sustained Vitality. Let’s break them down:?

• Quick Burst: When I need a quick energy fix to get over a dip in my energy levels.? Get me back on track to perform at my best.
• Gap Fill:??When I need something to fill me up enough to get me through to my next meal - not too much – just something easy to bridge the gap.
• Sustained Vitality: When I need something to give me sustained lasting energy and also contribute positively to my health.? Nutrients to keep me at the top of my game.

How Consumers Approach Their Energy Needs

Our research indicates that energy management is multidimensional. Imagine there is a daily energy line that symbolizes the energy consumers need on a daily basis to keep going or stay on an even keel. When consumers fall below the line, managing energy becomes reactive, such as kick start, a midafternoon slump, or recovery after exercise to replenish what has been lost. So, consumers are seeking to recover, reenergize, and return to the daily energy line both physically and mentally.

As brand owners and suppliers in the energy space, we need to ensure we are framing our solutions through this multidimensional lens to provide the best solutions for the wide variety of consumers’ energy needs.?

Energy in Consumer Life

From managing children to sprinting a 100-yard dash, consumers seek energy across various life facets. Energy and alertness is the top health claim for north American product launches and energy drinks dominate the $50B functional beverage space, with an anticipated 3% annual growth in the next five years.*?Notably, larger companies, like Dr Pepper Keurig's stake in Nutrabolt, reflect the industry's growing significance.*

Diverse Format Demands

Pre-workout ingredients, typically geared for bodybuilding, have expanded into energy drinks, bars, and healthier products. This trend aligns with consumers seeking diverse energy-providing ingredients across different formats, emphasizing their energy needs specifically for Quick Burst or Sustained Energy.

Consumer Preferences and Trade-Offs for Quality

Consumers are willing to invest more money for higher quality ingredients that align with their energy goals, specifically in Quick Burst and Sustained Vitality need states. Interestingly enough, consumers interested in Quick Burst energy are more focused on taste rather than health, while Sustained Vitality leans towards health-led choices over taste preferences.

Learn more about the key energizing ingredients to consider for your next product.

New Product Highlight

Glanbia Nutritionals just launched a new OptiATP??product powered by PeakATP??with encapsulation technology applied to protect the ATP when used in applications that are low pH/high acid and high heat processed making it the only ATP product available for RTDs. Find out more?here. ?

Partnership Throughout the Process

The evolving energy landscape demands comprehensive solutions catering to diverse need states—whether its Quick Burst or Sustained Vitality. Consumer preferences, formats, and ingredient trends shape the market, influencing the development of products optimizing energy across varied scenarios.

Connect with us to learn more about how we can help you formulate your next energy product to meet your customer’s needs.

Interested in learning more? Register for our webinar, Fueling Change: The Shifting Dynamics of Energy Needs in Food and Beverage, on March 6th at 11:30am CST.

*Sources cited here.