‘Thirst Quencher’, ‘Rapid Bulk Gain’, ‘Performance Recovery Formula’, ‘Weight Loss’ or ‘Muscle Repair’ – all versions of powdered drink options in the field of sports nutrition that are formulated depending on the functionality and nutritional requirements of the consumer.
Designed to be scooped out from a large container, these formulations will have varying compositions that will affect how the powder will behave during transit and storage. Changes in fat content, particle sizing and humidity are just a few factors that can affect not only the powder behaviour during processing but also the physical characteristics during use.
Energy bars are popular, delicious snacks and substitute meals for exercise lovers and sports participants.
They
are often supplemental bars containing cereals and other high energy
foods targeted at people that require quick energy but do not have time
for a meal. Living faster means an increased need for on-the-go energy
and in-between meal snacks.
The increase in obesity has also lead to a
growing interest in ‘satiating’ meal replacement bars. Both pleasure
and health are strong drivers of this snackification trend.
At
one time, “sports nutrition” might have conjured up images of
body-builders and professional athletes, but today’s market has spread
way beyond the weightlifting gyms and sports leagues and into urban area
and shopping centres worldwide.
This opens up nearly unlimited opportunities that manufacturers and marketers can exploit.
While
sports nutrition continues to be dominated by bulkier products such as
powders, functional food and beverages (e.g. sports drinks/RTD),
companies should keep in mind the strong consumer preference for
capsules when considering the dosage form for a new or existing sports
nutrition product.
It
wasn’t long ago that runners and cyclists relied solely on water and
isotonic drinks as their primary carbohydrate supplement during longer
races.
Now
our understanding of sports nutrition has improved to the point that we
have a myriad of products to choose from, each designed to speed
glycogen to the working muscles.
Energy
gels are the latest favourite source of carbohydrate for endurance
events that provide energy for exercise and promote recovery. They come
in small, single-serve plastic packets with a notch at the top, which
can be peeled back to reveal an opening through which the gel can be
quickly consumed.
Sports Nutrition has undergone an incredible decade of development and growth exceeding double percentage digits.
Nutritional
bars are the fastest-growing market, but there has been a widening of
the sports and nutrition category. Consumers in this category have
changed from mostly hard-core athletes, to include more mainstream
health-focused consumers who represent the major growth drivers for this
global market.
Developed regions such as the United States and some
European countries have been the dominant market players, but the demand
in developing countries is expected to increase with the current
growing interest for health-related products.
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| Actuation Force test |
Actuation Force Testing allows measurement of the force required to, for example, release mustard, ketchup or salad dressing from dispensers, such as is found in fast food restaurants.
Manually-actuated
spray pump dispensers or finger pumps rely on the consumer to generate a
hydraulic pressure in the pumping engine in order to dispense the
fluid.
Dispenser designs may change or vary or the every-increasing
market for child friendly products may require adaptations.
Popcorn is literally an exploding sector of the snack food market providing a new more healthy indulgence option that is less of a guilty pleasure.
In contrast to the well-known sweet toffee version, we are now seeing the introduction of a myriad of flavouring choices which is injecting the element of excitement and fun into the market.
Consumers’ growing interest in ethnic and exotic flavours has influenced brands to develop new, innovative and interesting flavours such as maple sea salt, green apple caramel, sour cream and onion, fruit chutney, pulled pork.
The range of flavour offerings changes from country to country according to national preferences and maturity of markets.
The sauce market is diverse and the number of types of sauces is growing, whilst the product definitions are blurring between countries.
Over
the past years the more traditional table sauces have developed with
new flavours and different packaging, and can now be seen being used as
dips and marinades – a far cry from the conservative character these
products had in the past.
A large proportion of condiments and
gravy stocks are now being produced in sachet or tube portions for quick
and easy use, as well as to facilitate long-term storage. For products
in tubes, the ability to squeeze the product out effectively is
essential and is fundamental to its ease of removal from the packaging
when required.
‘Thirst Quencher’, ‘Rapid Bulk Gain’, ‘Performance Recovery Formula’, ‘Weight Loss’ or ‘Muscle Repair’ – all versions of powdered drink options in the field of sports nutrition that are formulated depending on the functionality and nutritional requirements of the consumer. 
