Belvoir Fruit Farms has launched a new range of functional drinks that draw their inspiration from the power of plants.
Belvoir Botanicals will seek to capitalise on the perceived health benefits of botanicals such as dandelion, echinacea and milk thistle. Belvoir had identified a gap in the market for a refreshing, more feminine range of gently functional drinks that taste natural and delicious – and embarked on an extensive programme of research in collaboration with dietitian and nutritionist Dr Carrie Ruxton.
The Botanicals range is made using wholly natural ingredients with no artificial colourings, preservatives, additives or sweeteners – and the drinks also contain no added sugar. Each of the four different varieties offers a specific benefit derived from flowers, roots, herbs or fruits: Refresh is made from pure cucumber juice, lemon, cooling mint, milk thistle and dandelion to quench thirst and aid with hangover recovery; Immune Support, with elderflower, rosehip, raspberry and echinacea to provide a boost to immunity; Natural Energy, which blends lemon, mandarin, green tea, jasmine, ginseng and guarana for a natural energy boost; and finally Skin Support, which contains mandarin, hibiscus, geranium and added goji berries and offers a simple way to support skin health and improve the skin’s complexion.
All are blended with still water and enhanced with vitamin C. They come in resealable 330ml plastic bottles with wide mouths for ease of drinking.
Dr Ruxton said: “Working on the development of Belvoir Botanicals has been an amazing experience as we have been able to merge nutrition science with modern beverage development and authorised health claims to create a truly unique product. Humans have harnessed the natural benefits of plant botanicals for thousands of years, using elderflower, echinacea, green tea or mint to improve wellbeing and support normal health. Now these benefits will be more widely available in a delicious drinks range with flavours to suit everyone.”
Belvoir Fruit Farms managing director Pev Manners said: “I’m tremendously excited about Belvoir Botanicals; I have wanted to use our expertise and knowledge to develop a range from plants with proven health enhancing properties for years. I really feel that Botanicals fill a gap in the market for busy women needing a more feminine range of gently functional drinks. The natural ingredients and simple methods have definite synergy with our existing Belvoir range and yet whereas our cordials and pressés are designed to be drunk as more of a treat, the botanicals each have a specific function with on-going benefits.”
The brand added that Belvoir Botanicals have a number of usage occasions from the morning, to replace the usual cup of coffee, to lunch time, through to when the afternoon energy slump hits. They can also be used after exercise and generally for ongoing hydration thanks to the resealable bottle format.
A selection of the Belvoir Botanicals will be available in the UK through supermarket chain Asda from 7 May, retailing for around £1.70 per bottle.
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