Need to Relax? : Products that help soothe and energize are all the rage in 2009.

Nowadays, the word STRESS is heard too often. As consumers have more and more on their minds to weigh them down, they are looking to products in both traditional and non-traditional categories that will help soothe and renew them. Several manufacturers have caught on to this need and are introducing products that use functional, mood enhancing ingredients in new ways. From perfumes and lotions, to foods and beverages, you can walk down the aisle at your grocery store and not know if you’re shopping for food or for botanicals. Read on to see how clever manufacturers have incorporated mood boosting ingredients to help people say goodbye to S-T-R-E-S-S.

Who’s Doing It

Garnier NutriDermist Eye Caffeine Roller: For the beauty queens in Europe, the geniuses at Garnier combined caffeine and beauty.
NutriDermist Eye Caffeine roller is the first-ever roll-on that hydrates, cools & refreshes tired-looking eyes. Enriched with Caffeine, the roll-on is a handbag must-have, great for women on-the-go. The cooling moisturizer contains Caffeine and Pro-vitamin B5 for a bright eyed look.

Balance Water for Children: The makers of Balance Water in Australia have introduced a line of water for children, infused with flower essence that promotes calm attentiveness. For generations, flower essences have been given to children to gently calm and focus them and help increase their attention spans. Balance Water for Children is 100% natural and organic and does not contain any preservatives or any artificial additives. The water is suitable for children of any age.

Detour Yoga Energy Bar: Bikram, Iyengar, Ashtanga, oh my! Practicing Yoga has become an integrated part of many Americans’ lives. So why not make an energy bar for the yoga lovers? That’s exactly what Detour has done with their Yoga Energy Bars, promoting inner balance and focus. With 100% daily value of Lemon Balm for calmness and whey protein for rebuilding muscles, Detour Yoga Energy Bars help yoga lovers repair muscles and return to a calmer state after exercise.

Implications and Applications

Functional ingredients are no strangers to the Pepsico portfolio. From the replenishing power of Gatorade to the energizing fixes of AMP, Mtn Dew, and MAX, Pepsico has been at the forefront of using functional ingredients in our products. But it’s time to look beyond the usual pick-me-up occasions. Consumers don’t just want a quick burst of energy, they want sustained energy. It’s no longer just yoga and massages that help consumers soothe and relax, it’s now foods and beverages as well.
The landscape of ingredients in food and beverage products is perpetually expanding and as an organization, we must continue to be at the forefront of incorporating these ingredients into our products. Here is some food for thought on how we can leverage this functional trend:

1)Sustain - A Nutritional Lifestyle by Propel: A Propel woman has many needs. To accommodate her lifestyle, she needs a line of products that will help sustain the right kind of energy throughout her day. Introducing Sustain by the makers of Propel, a line of functional, all natural products that help the Propel woman be all that she needs to be at all points of her day.

2) Sierra Mist Summer Sun: Sunblock is sooooo 2008. Hit the beach in 2009 with Sierra Mist Summer Sun, a refreshing honey and lemon lime beverage infused with sun protection ingredients. Summer Sun will keep you hydrated and your skin protected from the inside out all summer long.