Have a Blast
Optimum Nutrition (ON), Downers Grove, Ill., added an Orange Blast flavor to its line of AMIN.O. ENERGY Plus Electrolytes.
In conjunction, ON announced a promotional partnership with the University of Texas and its athletes across many sports including basketball, swimming and track and field. Those participating include swimmer Drew Kibler (pictured), track and field hurdler and sprinter Chanel Brissett, and basketball forward Christian Bishop.
Each 12oz can of ESSENTIAL AMIN.O. ENERGY Plus Electrolytes contains 5g of amino acids, 100mg of caffeine from natural sources and electrolytes. This lightly carbonated beverage contains only five calories with zero sugar and no artificial colors. Other flavors include Blueberry Lemonade, Mango Pineapple Limeade, and Juicy Strawberry.
ON is part of Glanbia Performance Nutrition.
Protein Meets Popular Coffee
Dymatize, Emeryville, Calif., teamed up with Dunkin’ for two new co-branded ISO100 protein powders in
Dunkin's Cappuccino and Mocha Latte flavors. With 25g of protein per serving, officials say the new protein powders are the first in Dymatize's ISO100 line to offer a caffeine boost with 95mg per scoop.
Each serving has 120 calories and less than 1g of sugar. Dymatize says each serving also is formulated for easy mixing with 5.5g of branch-chained amino acids to support strength-training workouts.
Dymatize ISO100 in Dunkin' Cappuccino and Mocha Latte flavors are available for purchase in a 20-serving tub at nationwide retailers, including Walmart, Kroger, Vitamin Shoppe, and online retailers like Amazon and BodyBuilding.com. Dymatize is part of BellRing Brands, Inc.
Caffeine Sports Drink
Convenience store leader 7-Eleven Inc., Irving, Texas, introduced its own Replenish + Caffeine sports drink line.
"At 7-Eleven, we're constantly innovating our private brand product assortment to meet our customer's changing needs. The demand for functional beverages, unique energy options and new flavors of our popular Replenish sports drink have all been on the rise over the past year," said Jack Stout, 7-Eleven senior vice president, merchandising and demand chain. "Naturally, we combined all of these customer needs into one awesome product. We are confident Replenish + Caffeine sports drink will exceed customers' expectations in both quality and value."
The new line debuts with Pineapple and Prickly Pear flavors. Officials say each 28oz bottle contains 140mg of natural caffeine extracted from green coffee beans. The drinks also are high in vitamins E, B3, B5 and B6. Replenish + Caffeine beverages are free from artificial flavors, synthetic colors and high fructose corn syrup.
The new sports drink options join a broader family of 7-Eleven Replenish flavors including 7-Select Replenish Cucumber Mint, Guava Splash, Lemonade, Orange Mango and Pomegranate Acai. There is also a collection of zero sugar options, including Cherry, Fruit Punch, Orange Mango and Grape.
Seasonal Flavor
Barebells Functional Foods LLC, Venice, Calif., greeted November with a new seasonal protein bar flavor: Holiday Crisp.
Barebells protein bars offer 20g of protein, no added sugar, no palm oil, and only 200 calories. Officials say the new bars offer “a smoother texture with a creamy sweet chocolate body on the outside, gooey salty caramel, and soft puffy crisps throughout the snack.”
Barebells' Holiday Crisp were available at barebells.com, GNC, Trader Joes and select gyms. Barebells regular line includes flavors such as Chocolate Dough, Crunchy Fudge, Hazelnut & Nougat, Cookies & Cream, Caramel Cashew, White Chocolate Almond, Salty Peanut; and a Plant-based selection of Salty Peanut and Hazelnut Nougat.
New Look, Clean Appeal
Splash Beverage Group, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., planned a January 2022 relaunch for its TapouT performance hydration-recovery drink. Officials said the brand—particularly popular with Mixed Martial Arts fans—now features a newly designed shape, labeling and cleaner formulation.
Rebranded TapouT features a fully bilingual label with all text in both English and Spanish. Officials say TapouT’s three flavors feature a balance of ingredients for both hydration and recovery. Two “Zero Sugar” offerings (Cherry Lemonade, Orange) clearly note that each has just 10 calories. All three offerings—including a third Citrus flavor—note that the drinks contain no artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors. All three contain as many as five electrolytes; six B vitamins; and three antioxidants.
“New consumers are coming to the performance drink market as this category continues to grow beyond the sports market into the mainstream and an increasing number of Americans are making fitness and nutrition a priority,” noted Bill Meissner, Splash Beverage president and chief marketing officer.
Lighter Option
Last summer saw Skratch Labs, Boulder, Colo., introduce a three-item line of Sport Crispy Rice Cakes “for athletes who don’t want to get weighed down by their energy food.”
“Rice as the first ingredient sets these light, puffed treats apart from other products on the market,” said founder, Dr. Allen Lim. He says each 45g bar combines complex and simple carbohydrates and provides 180-190 calories for one hour of activity for most athletes.
Ingredients include brown rice, wild rice, red rice, and quinoa. The line debuted with Mallow, Chocolate & Mallow, and Strawberry & Mallow varieties packaged for individual or eight-pack sales. They are also made with non-GMO ingredients and are allergen friendly: gluten-free, peanut-free, dairy-free, and gelatin-free.
