What is the trend of clear protein drinks?

Light, juice-like protein formats are reshaping sports nutrition by appealing to consumers who want functional benefits without the heaviness of traditional shakes.

What is the trend of natural sweetener reformulation?

Stevia-based updates highlight the growing value of cleaner ingredient lists in products that previously depended on artificial sweeteners, colours, and flavours.

What is the trend of fruit-forward functional nutrition?

Refreshing fruit flavours create room for protein products to move beyond gym-centric positioning and into everyday hydration and wellness occasions.

What are the implications for the sports nutrition industry?

Cleaner clear-protein formulas signal a shift toward performance products that balance high protein content with mainstream taste and wellness expectations.

What are the implications for the functional beverages industry?

Powdered drink-style protein offerings blur category lines with hydration products, opening space for convenient nutrition formats that feel closer to juice or flavored water.

What are the implications for the natural ingredients industry?

Demand for stevia and simplified formulations strengthens the role of plant-derived sweeteners and clean-label inputs in next-generation packaged nutrition.

Naturally Sweetened Protein Powders : protein with grape

Optimum Nutrition Updates Clear Protein With Stevia And Fruit

Edited by Ellen Smith — September 25, 2026 — Lifestyle

This article was written with the assistance of AI.

References: stack3d

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Optimum Nutrition is updating its Clear Protein formula with stevia, offering a fruitier alternative to the brand’s Pro Quench range without relying on artificial sweeteners. The powder continues to use a combination of whey protein isolate and collagen, keeping the focus on protein intake in a lighter, drink-style format rather than a traditional shake.

The revised formula removes artificial colours and artificial flavours, while providing 20g of protein for 90 calories per serving. Strawberry Splash remains in the lineup, joined by Grape, which brings a more pronounced fruit flavour to the range.

The update reflects a broader move towards protein products that feel closer to a refreshing drink than a conventional shake. By simplifying the formula while keeping the protein content high, Optimum Nutrition is giving clear protein a cleaner, more fruit-forward direction.

Image Credit: Optimum Nutrition

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Trend Themes

Clear Protein Drinks — Light, juice-like protein formats are reshaping sports nutrition by appealing to consumers who want functional benefits without the heaviness of traditional shakes.
Natural Sweetener Reformulation — Stevia-based updates highlight the growing value of cleaner ingredient lists in products that previously depended on artificial sweeteners, colours, and flavours.
Fruit-forward Functional Nutrition — Refreshing fruit flavours create room for protein products to move beyond gym-centric positioning and into everyday hydration and wellness occasions.

Industry Implications

Sports Nutrition — Cleaner clear-protein formulas signal a shift toward performance products that balance high protein content with mainstream taste and wellness expectations.
Functional Beverages — Powdered drink-style protein offerings blur category lines with hydration products, opening space for convenient nutrition formats that feel closer to juice or flavored water.
Natural Ingredients — Demand for stevia and simplified formulations strengthens the role of plant-derived sweeteners and clean-label inputs in next-generation packaged nutrition.

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