PepsiCo debuts Soulboost sparkling functional waters for mental stamina and relaxation

06 May 2021 --- PepsiCo is launching Soulboost, a sparkling water beverage range with a “splash of real juice and functional ingredients.” The line offers two varieties, each in two flavors with 10 to 20 calories per drink.

The first product, called Lift, contains 200 mg of Panax ginseng, which helps support mental stamina. It is available in Blueberry Pomegranate and Black Cherry Citrus flavors.

The second product, Ease, contains 200 mg of L-theanine, helps support relaxation and is available in flavors Blackberry Passionfruit and Strawberry Rose.

“Our R&D team developed Soulboost by pinpointing desirable functional ingredients such as L-theanine and Panax ginseng and adding them into sparkling water beverages,” says Danielle Barbaro, vice president, R&D at PepsiCo Beverages North America.

“The drinks help people truly feel the moment, whether they need to support mental stamina to make it through a busy day or a moment of relaxation to help unwind, or both.” 

Lift includes Panax ginseng to support mental stamina and is available in Blueberry Pomegranate and Black Cherry Citrus.

Drink to relax
Soulboost is the latest from PepsiCo’s innovation team, which analyzes data and insights in real time to identify emerging consumer trends and creates products to address those needs. 

PepsiCo says it has developed a process that allows the company to respond rapidly to changing consumer preferences. The team has a suite of proprietary tools that allow it to stay close and listen to consumers, pinpoint early-stage trends and then bring products to market that address those white spaces.

“Consumers today are increasingly looking for convenient ways to support mental stamina and relaxation in their daily routines or find alternatives to alcoholic beverages,” says Emily Silver, vice president, innovation and capabilities at PepsiCo Beverages North America.

“With the pandemic having increased people’s overall interest in wellness products, we knew it was time to introduce a game-changing product,” she adds.

Ease boasts 200 mg of L-theanine for relaxation and is available in Blackberry Passionfruit and Strawberry Rose.Soulboost further establishes PepsiCo as a player in the enhanced water market, expected to reach US$11.3 billion by 2027, the company says. Soulboost is available via e-commerce and in select natural retailers.

It is a key addition to PepsiCo’s functional beverage portfolio, following the 2020 launch of Driftwell, a functional still water beverage aimed at combating stress and supporting relaxation. 

Food for the mood
Consumers are increasingly looking for products with functional benefits, especially those supporting mood and relaxation. 

Innova Market Insights previously pegged Mood: The Next Occasion as one of its top ten trends for 2021, reflecting the demand for mood-boosting formulations.

Calming/relaxing and energy boosting are the most established platforms, while sleep promotion is still niche, but growing from a smaller base and showing potential for further innovation, Innova says.

In this arena, Veryvell, a line of non-alcoholic, hemp-derived CBD beverages debuted in the US to improve the mood.

The Naked Collective, a beverage start-up from Ireland, offers its range of Mude functional drinks, which includes Protect, Play, Work, Chill and Sleep, tapping into growing consumer demand for F&B that support immunity and enhanced mood.

Nature’s Bounty unveiled three new products to its Brain Health Platform. Brain HP arrives in jelly bean format for adult gamers and e-sports professionals.

By Kristiana Lalou