The future of consumption is being shaped by new ways of living, eating, and connecting with others. The social, technological, and emotional transformations of recent years are driving a new generation of consumers who seek well-being, control, and purpose in every decision.
In a context of economic volatility, geopolitical tensions, and climate change, consumers are looking to regain control over their daily lives and find emotional balance.
According to the latest studies by Innova Market Insights, these are the five major trends that will shape the direction of food and beverages toward 2026.
1) Relaxation and socializing: enjoying without stress
85% of consumers globally say they have experienced stress in the past year, and 1 in 3 turn to health and leisure as a way to recover.
59% prefer informal ways of socializing—such as cafés, shared meals, or outdoor spaces—compared with 17% who choose formal settings, reflecting a desire for more relaxed and authentic connections.
This search for calm is driving more informal settings (home, cafés, outdoors), casual yet “well-crafted” formats, and products that encourage relaxation and mindful enjoyment.
Cafés, kombucha taprooms, and casual restaurants are gaining ground as places to socialize in a more informal and relaxed way, with a growing trend toward “social comfort”: artisanal foods, probiotic beverages, and shared moments without pressure.
At Grupo Saporiti, we believe this opens up opportunities for artisanal snacks and baked goods, balanced ready-to-drink beverages, and “shareable” desserts with indulgent profiles but added nutritional value, enhancing the balance between healthy enjoyment and reasonable portions.
2) Time for myself: self-care as a habit
Generation Z is driving a global trend toward self-care and intentionally spending time alone as a form of well-being.
One in three consumers say that spending time alone helps them reduce stress, while 29% consider enjoying an indulgent meal to be part of their personal pleasure.
This trend is closely linked to “self-care at home.” Personal well-being is moving into the home, transforming it into the new spa: cooking something delicious, meditating, listening to relaxing music, or watching a series or movie are ways to disconnect, reconnect with oneself, and create small moments of daily well-being.
Foods and beverages with adaptogens, vitamins and minerals, herbs, or claims such as “calms your afternoon” or “complements your break” connect with this search for small moments of mindful pleasure.
At Grupo Saporiti, we see that preparing something homemade, enjoying a small indulgence, or choosing products with clear emotional claims (“calms your afternoon,” “complements your break”) reinforces that personal moment of well-being.
3) Vitality and longevity: well-being with an eye on the future
The concept of “active aging” is becoming established as an everyday practice: staying strong and mobile, maintaining energy, getting good rest, and keeping the mind active are key for every generation, from Millennials to Boomers.
The world will add more than 300 million people over the age of 60 by 2030, and 3 in 10 already monitor their health, while 1 in 4 track their physical activity. At the same time, 57% have taken steps to improve their physical or mental energy levels.
Health is no longer perceived as a goal to be achieved, but as an ongoing process.
At Grupo Saporiti, we work with the concept of personalized nutrition, helping to develop foods and beverages with real functional benefits through the incorporation of proteins, fibers, prebiotics, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants as allies in this pursuit of vitality and longevity.
4) My technology ally: AI in everyday life
59% of consumers use artificial intelligence-based platforms to learn or improve their routines. From smart cooking assistants—such as Upliance 2.0, which chops, stirs, sautés, and steams, guided by an app with more than 750 recipes—to applications that guide daily nutrition, such as Lifesum, technology is becoming an ally for meal planning, nutrition management, and optimizing well-being.
However, technology adoption comes with a challenge: earning consumer trust when it comes to privacy and data security.
At Grupo Saporiti, we believe the key will be to combine science, technology, and knowledge, offering digital solutions and development processes that make food innovation simpler.
5) Simplified living: fewer steps, fewer doubts, more solutions
In times of overload and anxiety, people are looking to reduce complexity and take care of their mental well-being.
54% say they only buy what they really need, and interest is growing in brands that make everyday decisions easier: ready-made meals, easy-to-prepare products, clear claims, and experiences that save time without sacrificing quality.
At Grupo Saporiti, we understand that simplicity is becoming the new modern luxury. That is why we collaborate in the creation of multi-ingredient alternatives that reduce shopping lists and simplify time spent in the kitchen, helping make things simpler, more reliable, and healthier.
Translating trends into real products
Consumers are not only looking for products, but for experiences that help them feel better, live longer, and do so with balance.
For brands, this means connecting through empathy, functionality, and authenticity, creating solutions that support this evolution toward a healthier, more flexible, and more human way of life.
At Grupo Saporiti, our role is to translate global trends into concrete solutions that integrate flavor, color, functionality, and nutrition, generating value at every stage of development.
Together with our customers’ teams, we co-create proposals to adapt existing products or create new alternatives aligned with these trends.
This process, carried out by our specialists from different industries in our R&D and Application laboratories, makes it possible to test in real time, make quick adjustments, and select the alternatives that perform best in terms of both sensory experience and industrial efficiency.
If you have a specific challenge, let’s put together the brief and work together on the prototype.
Let’s talk about your next launch.
