# Botanical Sweetener Plant-based sugar alternatives take over mass-marketed and small products. By [Armida Ascano](https://www.trendhunter.com/Armida), Chief Insights Officer | Published Mar 24, 2015 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/botanical-sweetener ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.5/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Botanical Sweetener trend? **Botanical Sweetener:** The battle with sugar reaches back to the 80s with restriction, and has moved into current day as an opportunity for added nutrients. This is what fuels the wave of plant-based sweeteners observed in mass-marketed and smaller-scale products alike. Naturalism is seen as an added plus in today's health-driven society, which adds value to sugar alternatives and positions them as more than replacements. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Dec 16, 2014 to Dec 16, 2016 - Published: Mar 24, 2015 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality) - Megatrends: [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Botanical Sweetener trend ### Plant-based Sweeteners Plant-based sweeteners have become popular alternatives to traditional sugar due to their health benefits and positioning as more natural. ### Functional Beverages The demand for functional beverages has given rise to holistic product lines that prioritize natural ingredients and health benefits. ### Fruit-Stevia Blends MonkSweet-style blends of stevia and fruit extracts present a palatable alternative to traditional sugar and high fructose corn syrup. ## What the Botanical Sweetener trend means for industry ### For Food and Beverage Manufacturing Manufacturers can leverage the trend of plant-based sweeteners and functional beverages to develop new products that cater to health-conscious consumers. ### For Natural Products and Organic Industry The organic industry can invest in and develop more natural sweeteners and functional beverages as a response to consumer demand for healthier alternatives. ### For Alternative Beverages Emerging alternative water products that are plant-based and entirely sourced from nature are tapping into the thirst for citrusy sugarcane drinks and fruity hydration drinks. ## Workshop question What emerging aspects of health and wellness could be reformatted for your industry? ## Trend signals for Botanical Sweetener Trend score 3.5 out of 10, from popularity 51%, activity 46%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 51% - Activity: 46% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Botanical Sweetener trend 6 featured examples from Dec 16, 2014 to Dec 16, 2016. - [Functional Botanical Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/belvoir-botanicals): The New 'Belvoir Botanicals' Range Boasts Holistic Health Benefits (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Functional botanical beverages can disrupt the beverage industry by offering natural drinks that support overall health and wellness. - [Citrusy Sugarcane Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sugarcane-juice): Sugarcane Island Blends Its Sugarcane Juice with Lime (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Major opportunity for the beverage industry to experiment with citrus-infused and alternative plant-based or nature-sourced water products. - [Fruity Hydration Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/juice-drink): The New Pip Organic Juice Drinks are Free of Sweeteners and Added Sugar (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: There is an opportunity for beverage companies to develop and market fruit drinks that are free from added sweeteners and artificial ingredients, meeting the demand for healthier… - [Coconut-Based Sweeteners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/big-tree-farms): Big Tree Farms' Coconut Nectar Serves as an Alternative to Honey (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Establish a new business within the natural sweetener industry by offering unique, health-conscious sweetener options. - [Organically Sweet Smoothies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yacon-syrup): The Choco Superfood Smoothie Features Yacon Syrup (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry can benefit from developing and marketing products that use Yacon Syrup and other healthy ingredients. - [Exotic Fruit Sweeteners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natural-stevia): MonkSweet Blends Natural Stevia with Monk Fruit for Better Flavor (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry can innovate new products using MonkSweet and similar natural sweeteners for a healthier and cleaner label. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)