As people have learned more about the negative effects of eating improperly processed food, they have become more selective about what they put in their bodies. The move from a conventional to a health-conscious outlook has encouraged producers to expand their product lines with novel, high-quality goods. Products that claim to be dairy, lactose, gluten, or sugar-free tend to be the most widely available.
For instance, in February 2021, Halsa expanded its product line with the addition of 24oz family-size plain unsweetened zero Sugar oat milk yogurt. The new zero-sugar oat milk yogurt has only 90% calories per serving and has multiple uses as a base for making healthy probiotic smoothies, dips, sauces, salad dressings, and many other plant-based recipes at home.
Mounting incidences of diabetes and overweight/obesity are pushing consumers from sugar and toward sugar-free alternatives. Both conditions are prevalent. The American Heart Association recommends no more than six teaspoons of added sugar a day for women to be safe from diabetes and obesity.
Moreover, less sugar prevents glycation. Consequently, obesity caters to a significant percentage of total health expenditure in many countries. According to the analysis of the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), the percentage of health expenditure spent on overweight and related conditions is predicted to account for 14% in the United States from 2020 to 2050.
Moreover, the increasing demand for low-calorie beverages and the associated cost-cutting advantage of using sugar substitutes is perhaps considered to be the foremost reason for the growth of the sugar-free foods and beverages market. The growing demand for sugar-free products might also be attributed to the increasing acceptance of veganism and plant-based diets. People who adhere to these diets often search for food and drink options that don’t contain any animal ingredients and have low sugar content. Companies in the food and drink industry are responding to this trend by releasing more sugar-free options.
