As consumers become more wary of sugar content, food and beverage companies are meeting consumer demand for zero-sugar products.

Trends in sugar-free diets

Overall, the zero-sugar food and beverage market is expected to grow in 2024 and beyond as consumers continue to look for products that support health. Experts say zero sugar has gradually "replaced past diet" trends and has become a claim consumers look for on packaging.

According to a report by ReportLinker, the global zero-sugar food and beverage market is expected to grow from $19.17 billion in 2023 to $23.33 billion in 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.98% during this period. According to a report by Future Market Insights, the zero-sugar beverage market will accelerate growth, from $3.328 billion in 2023 to $13.151 billion in 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.7% during this period.

In addition, according to the "Food and Health 2023" survey conducted by the International Food Information Council on more than 1,000 U.S. consumers, most consumers (72%) want to limit or completely eliminate sugar. Experts pointed out that they hope to reduce sugar intake by looking for zero-sugar claims on products that usually do not contain sweeteners.

Food and beverages are accelerating sugar-free

Nowadays, sugar-free and low-sugar have become the globally recognized correct diet. Many industry giants that used to gain market position by selling sweetness and carbon water are re-examining their market strategies, or developing and improving or acquiring new health lines to optimize their product lineup and brand image.

Among them, both large companies and consumers are more aggressive in controlling sugar than before. Large companies such as Yili, Nestle, Heytea and even Tsingtao Beer are competing to innovate. In addition, freshly brewed tea brands have also launched half-sugar and no-sugar options in stores.

Sugar-free beverages have become an industry consensus.

It is not difficult to foresee that in the next few years, with the improvement of consumer power and the popularization of health awareness, the sugar-free food and beverage is expected to penetrate rapidly and enter a stage of rapid expansion. For the beverage industry, a new wave and revolution of the "sugar-free movement" has already begun.