The rise of high-protein diets and consumers’ perceptions that they need more protein is backed by science, with many studies indicating that a high-protein diet that contains branched chain amino acids can play a major role in weight loss and metabolic health.

It’s easier than ever for food and beverage manufacturers to leverage the power of branched chain amino acids in their formulations to appeal to those embracing the clean label movement, fitness enthusiasts and others who are concerned with promoting health.

In today’s health-conscious society, one of the greatest influences on consumer buying decisions is arguably a food product’s label. When shopping for a new product, more than half of U.S. consumers say they read the ingredient list. The presence of artificial fillers and preservatives along with chemically modified ingredients leads many to reach for another product containing only familiar, natural ingredients.

More than half of all U.S. consumers say they consider protein content when buying food for their households. The form of protein they choose varies widely, from meat, cheese and yogurt, to protein concentrates used in sports beverages, supplements and snack bars.

One of the fastest growing segments among protein ingredients is the plant protein market. Despite its growth, however, plant proteins fall short of their more traditional counterpart, whey protein, when it comes to overall nutrition, functionality and digestibility.

If you’ve used whey protein ingredients in your foods or beverages, you know they provide a number of benefits to your formulations. In addition to its well-known health benefits and ability to improve the flavor, texture and functionality of an application, whey protein can lower costs by replacing high-cost dairy ingredients and eggs and reduce the need for artificial ingredients to support clean label efforts.

While healthier foods continue to be a focus for consumers — and thus food manufacturers — the ways in which those foods are harvested, produced and packaged are becoming just as important, especially among Millennials.

A study analyzed 12.5 million social media posts and other online commentaries to determine that sustainability and company transparency are priorities that rank right alongside health and flavor. A Nielsen Report also surmises that Millennials are a demanding generation that wants to be more informed about companies, their products and their business practices.

Consumers in the U.S. eat more than 10 billion bowls of soup every single year. Tomato soup is the second favorite, topped only by chicken noodle. However, it’s hard to argue that any other is more versatile than creamy tomato soup which can be enjoyed on its own or used in other recipes such as chili, casseroles, stews, Mexican dishes, Italian classics and more.

Some of the food trends named in the top 10 list for 2018 — as compiled by Datassential, a supplier of trends, analysis and concept testing for the food industry — aren’t likely to become staples in food manufacturers’ formulations anytime soon. Persimmon in your pudding? Rose water in your Ravioli?

In the 1990s, the FDA defined “natural” products as those where “nothing artificial or synthetic—including all color additives regardless of source—can be included or added to a food that would not normally be expected to be in the food.” This prevented foods made with artificial ingredients from being labeled as “natural”, but created a loophole for certain ingredients to be classified as natural as well.

When you think of “clean eating,” what types of food do you think of? For some people, clean eating brings to mind foods like fresh dairy and produce or grass-fed beef. However, according to a new study from The NPD Group, 61% of today’s primary grocery shoppers now believe that packaged foods are acceptable for clean eating, with 44% saying processed foods are okay too.

When comparing Millennials, Gen Xers, and Baby Boomers, most people would agree that each generation has their own set of traits, preferences, and beliefs that distinguish them from other generations. Millennials are more tech-savvy than Baby Boomers, for example, making Millennials a popular target for new electronics, mobile devices, apps, and other cutting edge products. In the world of nutrition, things are no different, as each generation is targeted for their different eating preferences. You don’t see Baby Boomers being targeted for flashy energy drinks, for example, just as you don’t see Millennials being targeted for nutrient-rich health shakes.