More Consumers Seeking Healthy Coffee, Tea Solutions

As a growing number of consumers seek out food and beverage products that offer enhanced health benefits, there appears to be new opportunities for suppliers of coffee and tea to take advantage of this lifestyle change.

According to a new report from Westrock Coffee Company, nearly one-third of U.S. coffee drinkers expressed interest in beverages that deliver targeted health benefits, such as functional ingredients like adaptogens for cognitive enhancement or probiotics for improved gut health. Cold brew coffee drinkers are particularly receptive to beverages that improve cognitive enhancement, while tea drinkers prioritize relaxation and boosting immunity. 

These insights are among the many findings in the latest issue of The Blend – a quarterly series of free downloadable reports from Westrock Coffee that focus on consumer, retail, and restaurant trends in beverage categories. 

Based in Little Rock, Ark., the coffee and tea manufacturer supplies beverage solutions for major brands in CPG, retail private brands, convenience stores, restaurants, food service, and hospitality industries.

"Consumer interest in healthier coffee and tea has never been greater – but health and wellness goals are increasingly diverse and evolving," said Melissa Mackay, senior vice president of marketing and insight at Westrock Coffee. "Meeting this demand has become the driving force in new product innovation for many brands."

The Blend report for Q1 2025 focuses on health and wellness trends that are driving innovation and shaping consumer habits in coffee and tea categories, including:

• Evolving Definition of Healthy – how consumers are looking for more out of "healthier" coffee and tea than just reducing sugar, fat, or calories.
• The Rise of Personalized Wellness – insights on why consumers want products that can be personalized to their health needs.
• Functional Ingredients – an overview of which ingredients consumers are seeking to improve gut health, mental clarity, cognitive enhancement, energy, and more.
• Convenience in Coffee and Tea– a look at how ready-to-drink (RTD) formats are catering to the demand for healthier coffee and tea, and driving delivery models.

More details on these health and wellness trends are available by downloading Westrock Coffee's The Blend report for free at Insights.westrockcoffee.com/the-blend-q1-2025