Plant-based beverages have been popular in both mature and emerging markets. The increasing demand for health awareness and interest in plant-based beverages from the vegan community provide lucrative opportunities for its market. The shifting of consumers’ preference from high-calorie carbonated drinks to healthy plant-based beverages is expected to be the growth booster for this market. Soy milk and coconut-based beverages are among the most popular beverages with the fastest-growing segments¹. Inulin & FOS – Guardians of the Gut Inulin and Oligofructose are natural, non-GMO and clean label prebiotic fibres from the chicory root and are considered to be among the very few plant-based prebiotics that promote a healthy digestive system. They have been scientifically shown to support a balanced gut microbiota and overall well-being. Inulin and Oligofructose can be applied to develop healthy and tasty plant-based beverages with fibre enrichment while improving the taste and mouthfeel⁵. Chia Seed – Tiny but Mighty According to the USDA (2016), the dietary fibre content in chia seeds is higher than flax seeds and quinoa seeds. Chia seeds also have a greater content of omega-3 acids than flax seeds³. In comparison to 100g of milk, chia seeds contain six times more calcium, eleven times more phosphorus and four times more potassium⁴. Chia seeds are an excellent plant-based source of ALA omega-3 fatty acids with a remarkable source of essential minerals that includes magnesium, calcium, potassium and phosphorus³. Chia seeds are a good thickening and emulsifying agent, adding rich texture and silkiness when blended into smoothies and beverages. They exhibit good emulsion and foaming stability as well as excellent water holding capacity². In A Nutshell: Plant-based Takes Centre Stage The demand for plant-based ingredients is growing by leaps and bounds, creating the untapped potential for manufacturers in the plant-based beverage market. Many consumers are actively seeking out more information about the products they consume so that they can make ethical and healthier purchasing choices. Plant-based beverages can successfully tap consumers’ desire for both clean labels and improved nutritional profiles. At DPO, we are honoured to be in partnership with Beneo Orafti and Benexia to bring you a range of ingredient choices that could elevate your quality of life. References ¹Grand View Research. (2020). Plant-based Beverages Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Soy Base, Coconut Base, Almond Base, Rice Base, Oats Base, Hemp Base), By Flavor, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 – 2027. Retrieved from https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/plant-based-beverages-market ²Ikumi, P., Mburu, M. & Njoroge, D. (2019). Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) – A Potential Crop for Food and Nutrition Security in Africa. Journal of Food Research, 8(6), 104-118. https://doi.org/10.5539/jfr.v8n6p104 ³Kulczyński, B., Kobus-Cisowska, J., Taczanowski, M., Kmiecik, D., & Gramza-Michałowska, A. (2019). The Chemical Composition and Nutritional Value of Chia Seeds-Current State of Knowledge. Nutrients, 11(6), 1242. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11061242 ⁴Munoz, L. A., Cobos, A., Diaz, O. & Aguilera, J. M. (2012). Chia seeds: microstructure, mucilage extraction and hydration. Journal of Food Engineering, 108, 216-224. ⁵Shoaib, M., Shehzad, A., Omar, M., Rakha, A., Raza, H., Sharif, H., Shakeel, A., Ansari, A. & Niazi, S. (2016). Inulin: Properties, health benefits and food applications. Carbohydrate Polymers, 147, 444-454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.04.020 ⁶USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release 28 (2016). Basic report 12006, seeds, Chia seeds, dried.