Skip to main content

One-third of Americans seek functional health benefits from coffee and tea, new report finds

Consumers want better-for-you coffee and tea products

Person pouring coffee drink into a white ceramic mug
Heewei Lee / Unsplash
New research from one of the world’s top coffee and tea manufacturers found that nearly 1/3 of Americans are interested in drinking coffee and tea with added health and wellness benefits. The report, published by Westrock Coffee Company, suggests that almost one-third of all Americans are interested in trying functional coffee and tea, which contains good-for-your-health ingredients.
Recommended Videos
Some examples include adaptogens that can help improve cognitive function or probiotics for improved gut health. The report also found that cold-brew coffee drinkers are particularly receptive to beverages that enhance cognitive function, while tea drinkers prioritize relaxation and boosting immunity.
The first-quarter report, titled The Blend, also highlighted several other interesting trends in consumer habits in the coffee and tea industry. These trends suggest consumers are seeking healthier coffee and tea products and focusing on elements of health beyond just reducing sugar, fat, and calories. Additionally, insights suggest consumers want products personalized to their health needs and are focused on ingredients that improve gut health, mental clarity, cognitive enhancement, energy, and more. The report also explores how ready-to-drink coffees (RTD) cater to the demand for healthier coffee and tea products.
“While we are known for providing beverage solutions and manufacturing to many of the world’s largest consumer brands, Westrock Coffee is also a trusted resource for category insights and trends,” explained Melissa Mackay, senior vice president of marketing and insight at Westrock Coffee. “With these reports, we aim to leverage our expertise by combining the latest beverage and flavors research with consumer trends and sharing these findings throughout the industry.”
“Consumer interest in healthier coffee and tea has never been greater – but health and wellness goals are increasingly diverse and evolving,” added Mackay. “Meeting this demand has become the driving force in new product innovation for many brands.”
Emily Caldwell
Emily is a freelance journalist with a focus on food, travel, health, and fitness content. She loves to travel to new…
Victor Allen’s new K-Cup variety pack showcases coffees from around the globe
Find your favorite roast
Victor Allen's Coffee

Part of the fun of brewing K-Cup coffee is the ability to easily try new flavors and roasts with just a simple switch of a coffee pod. With this in mind, popular coffee brand Victor Allen's has launched a new 60-count coffee pod variety pack compatible with single-serve pod coffee makers. The new variety pack features a mix of high-quality, premium coffee pods in medium and dark roasts, all crafted and roasted to perfection.

The premium coffee pod variety pack features classic favorites like Colombia and smooth Espresso and a few unique blends like Brazil and Mexico. The most exciting part about this product release is the quality of the beans used, sourced from the world's top coffee-producing countries and featuring the highest quality coffee beans ever used by Victor Allen's Coffee.

Read more
12 health benefits of coffee: More than just a morning pick-me-up
Feel good about drinking your cup of Joe
Coffee beans, ground coffee, and a cup of coffee

Coffee: The magic in a cup that gets us out of the morning slumber and fills us with much-needed energy for the day. What would our days be like without our daily cup of coffee? Let’s not think about that now. With loads of different coffee books and scientific studies on the subject, we've compiled a list of the health benefits of coffee you should know about.
12 health benefits of coffee

Coffee enthusiasts will tell you that their expensive coffee has many benefits. And they’re not wrong. When consumed in the right amounts, coffee can benefit our bodies in ways we never thought were possible. Here are 12 of the best health benefits of drinking your morning cup of joe.
1. Raises energy levels
Some people can barely function in the morning without first drinking a cup of coffee. Do you know that drowsiness you feel in the morning that is magically eliminated by coffee? While many initially believed that this was psychological and that coffee could not have all that power, science says it does have an effect on alertness levels.

Read more
Coffee vs. tea: Is one healthier than the other?
If you drink one or both, read our guide on coffee vs. tea
Cups of tea, coffee and hot chocolate

Over the last several years, there have been many debates about coffee vs. tea and which is better for you. And people ask the questions, "Is coffee good for you?" and "Is tea good for you?"

Some influencers and health advocates advise switching to green tea, chai tea, or matcha to forgo the "jolt" that often comes with drinking caffeine from coffee. You can instead opt for the slower and steadier stimulation that comes from the caffeine in green tea or the more concentrated version of green tea, matcha.
What is coffee and tea made of?

Read more