# Fruit-Forward Protein Waters Waay Adds A Wild Apple Flavour To Its Sparkling Protein Range By Ellen Smith | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-11-05 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fruit-forward-protein-waters References: [stack3d](https://www.stack3d.com/2026/11/wild-apple-waay-protein-drink)  Waay is adding Wild Apple to its [Sparkling Protein Drink](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shaklee-sparkling-protein) range, offering a [fruit-flavoured alternative](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rebbl-clear-protein-beverage) to the chocolate and vanilla options often found in the protein-drink aisle. The new flavour keeps the brand’s carbonated format, with a crisp apple taste designed to make protein feel more like a refreshing drink than a traditional shake. Each 12-ounce can contains 10g of protein from [whey and collagen](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whey-protein-waters). The formula is also sugar-free, and the slim cans are priced at $3.99 each. Its lighter fruit profile gives shoppers another option for a quick protein boost without the texture of a conventional shake. Wild Apple is available exclusively at Sprouts Farmers Market, giving the retailer a flavour it won’t find elsewhere in the range. Image Credit: Protein RTD ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 9.4/10 - Popularity: 83% | Activity: 100% | Freshness: 100% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Fruit-forward Protein:** Fruit-led flavor profiles are shifting protein beverages away from dessert cues, creating room for refreshing formats that appeal to mainstream hydration and wellness consumers. - **Sparkling Functional Drinks:** Carbonation is helping functional beverages feel lighter and more occasion-based, opening space for protein products that compete with sodas, seltzers, and energy drinks. - **Retail-exclusive Flavors:** Exclusive flavor launches are becoming a differentiation tool for specialty grocers, giving brands and retailers a way to build urgency and shopper loyalty around limited availability. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Functional Beverages:** The functional beverage category is expanding beyond energy and hydration as protein is reformulated into formats suited for casual, on-the-go consumption. - **Health Grocery Retail:** Specialty food retailers can strengthen category discovery through exclusive wellness products that blend better-for-you nutrition with familiar beverage experiences. - **Sports Nutrition:** Sports nutrition is moving toward lighter, lifestyle-oriented products as casual consumers seek convenient protein intake without the heaviness of traditional shakes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sparkling Protein Water Cans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/protein-seltzer-trend.md) - [Refreshing Ready-to-Drink Protein Waters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clear-whey-protein-water.md) - [Juicy Protein Waters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mynd-sparkling-protein-water.md) - [Five-Ingredient Protein Sodas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sparkling-protein-soda.md) - [Canned Protein Waters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/protein-infused-still-water.md) - [Lightly Sparkling Protein Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whey-water.md) - [flavorful protein water lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/protein-water-line.md) - [Effervescent Protein-Packed Sodas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/c4-sparkling-protein.md) - [Sparkling Protein Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sparkling-protein-drinks-trend.md)