The Complex And Evolving Future Of The Sustainable Beverage Industry

A morning cup of frothy coffee, a hot cup of tea before bedtime, or a refreshing fruit juice to pick you up after lunch: no matter what your lifestyle is, you probably have a comfort drink that makes your day better. And, if you’re a conscious consumer who also cares about the environmental impact of beverages, not just their taste, chances are you’re exploring healthier, more sustainable alternatives. According to a 2018 study, VC firms have invested more than $170 million in functional beverage companies, and the market is on track to reach $200 billion by 2024, but consumer demands have changed. As people are becoming more aware of the environmental and health impact of the drinks they consume, they expect companies to create improved, more responsible versions of classic beverages. In the past ten years, there have been many innovations on the beverage market, from eco-friendly packaging to zero sugar recipes. Now, an even bigger innovation is about to go mainstream and redefine consumer preferences.

There are a number of great sustainable drinks on the market. You should pay close attention to your options if you are serious about cutting your carbon footprint.

Overview of the Market for Sustainable Drinks

CBD drinks are one example of sustainable drinks that have emerged on the market. A number of other beverages are being sold, which also are great for the environment. In order to understand the background of the underlying products that are used to produce eco-friendly drinks.

Since some of the newest drinks are some of the most recent sustainable to reach the market, we wanted to start with a background. The CBD industry is among them, which is expanding at an incredible rate: product sales in dispensaries have skyrocketed, and experts estimate that the market for sales will exceed $20 billion by 2024. From celebrities to regular individuals, everyone is praising the industry for its health effects, and eco-friendly consumers love it too.

Loose leaf tea is another eco-friendly drink to reach the market. This is a booming market among millennials, largely because they enjoy how eco-friendly it is.

One of the reasons that loose leaf tea is sustainable is that it requires less packaging. They also tend to use local products more than other beverages, which reduces the need for transportion. This helps reduce their carbon footprint.

They don’t need as much fertilizer, water, and pesticides, and production has a much smaller impact on the environment. At the same time, the plant out of which these products are produced is relatively low-maintenance and composting it creates a natural, nutrient-rich fertilizer.  

CBD can be found in many forms, such as oils, tinctures, edibles, and topical treatments, each consumption method being recommended for specific needs. These drinks are relatively new on the market, but they’re quickly gaining popularity because they combine the delicious taste and refreshing experience of beverages with the pleasant effects. 

In addition, they appeal to eco-friendly, conscious consumers with these benefits: 

• Suitable packaging, which is recycled, reusable, or easy to recycle 
• Zero added sugars 
• Vegan-friendly 
• All-natural ingredients
• The ingredients are extracted from organically grown help plants 
• Infused with botanical extracts rich in vitamins and antioxidants 
• Ingredients are ethically sourced 

In fact, many drinks are based on the taste of popular beverages, such as sodas, teas, and energy drinks, but they’re given a healthier twist. 

Types of sustainable drinks and how to consume them

Sustainable drinks come in many forms, to match all lifestyles:

• Ready-to-Drink (RTD) beverages, which can be carbonated or non-carbonated and are rich in botanical extracts. These are usually geared towards younger consumers who have an active lifestyle and want to enjoy refreshing drinks on the go. 
• Water infused with fruit extracts. 
• Infused tea leaves, which are usually meant to be consumed before bedtime because they have a soothing, relaxing effect. The tea used in sustainable drinks is organic and ethically sourced.
• Eco-friendly coffee and energy drinks, for consumers who want an energy kick with their daily dose. 
• Alternatively, sustainable drinks companies also offer protein powders that can be mixed with water, milk, or fruit juice. These cater to athletes, people with active lifestyles, or who have special dietary requirements.  

So, eco-friendly drinks are delicious and eco-friendly, but what about their effects? Are they as effective as other products, and how should they be consumed?

Yes, eco-friendly drinks are just effective as other products and, as long as you pick the right dosage, you’ll experience the same effects. The concentration of obviously ranges, so you’ll find drinks that have as little as 5mg/portion to drinks that have 30mg. 

Because it is consumed orally, the products in these drinks must first pass through the digestive tract and be absorbed into the bloodstream before you see the effects. It may take anywhere between one and six hours for this to happen but, once it does, the effects last much longer compared to vaping. In fact, studies have shown that CBD in drinks has a higher bioavailability, which means that they dissolve faster into the bloodstream. Drinks are also easier to consume since most people can’t get used to the musky and bitter taste of regular CBD oil. 

Many drinks are delicious, but experts advise consumers to exercise caution because it’s easy to forget that you’re not enjoying a regular beverage. When you buy them, look carefully at the dose and in how many servings you’re supposed to drink it: the drinks in canned packaging usually contain one dose, but with bottles, you have to be more careful and split them into two or three servings. Otherwise, you can enjoy them as you would your regular supplements: when you want to relax, alleviate stress, manage anxiety, or sleep better. Since these products are combined with other botanical extracts, the effect is likely to be amplified. For example, if you’re taking these products to treat insomnia, an infused tea with organic extracts of camomile and lavender can work even faster. 

The Sustainable Drink Market is Booming

There are a number of reasons that the market for sustainable drinks is growing strongly. We need to be aware of our options if we want to cut our carbon footprint and help the environment. The tips listed above should help considerably if you are trying to buy a new sustainable beverage.