30/12/2019

Cannabidiol (CBD)—a major non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant—is quickly becoming a mainstream product. Due to mounting evidence of its health benefits, it is increasingly used as a key ingredient in consumer packaged goods such as food, beverages, and health and wellness products.

When CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant, it takes an oil-based form. Like any oil, it is hydrophobic, meaning it will not dissolve in water. As a result, CBD oil resists absorption into the bloodstream—with 96% of it being flushed from the body without ever having an active effect.

Water-Soluble CBD is trying to avoid all this with companies such as Trait Biosciences’ revealing its breakthrough technology, Trait Distilled™

Through Trait Biosciences’ proprietary glycosylation process, a sugar molecule is attached to the cannabinoid—a process that naturally occurs in the body as it metabolizes different foods.

The benefits of the Trait Distilled™ process will be a game-changer for cannabis, hemp, and CPG industries, due to its:

• Greater bioavailability
• Clear solution
• Faster onset time
• Indefinite shelf stability
• Better taste
• Lack of emulsifiers, surfactants, or nanotechnologies
• Organic certification potential
• Odor-free properties

Trait’s Distilled™ technology results in pure, and natural water-soluble terpenes and cannabinoids that are entirely safe for commercial use.

Beverages:

The global functional beverages market will be worth an estimated $278 billion by 2020, with CBD-infused beverages becoming a significant sub-segment.

Taste is the #1 consumer driver, and biggest roadblock for CBD-infused beverages. Water-soluble CBD will eliminate the unpleasant aftertaste associated with CBD-infused beverages.

This burgeoning market is estimated to grow from $5 billion in 2019 to $23.7 billion by 2023. However, major challenges with existing products need to be addressed, such as poor bioavailability, or the rate at which CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream.

Health and Wellness:

Health and wellness are emerging as a new reason for cannabis consumption.

With Unilever now entering the space with CBD-infused ice cream, the floodgates will open for other major companies to follow suit.

Truly water-soluble CBD is a revolutionary technology that will kickstart the growth of CBD products in the CPG sector—and unlock the true potential of the cannabis plant.

Food:

Among products that new and existing consumers would consider trying, edibles—such as CBD-infused baked goods and chocolate—rank the highest.

CBD as a functional ingredient and a mood enhancer is blurring the lines between pharma and food, with health benefits such as:

• Plant-based
• Keto-friendly
• Anti-inflammatory
• Full of Omega-3
• Stress and anxiety relief

The global functional food market is projected to grow from $250 billion to $440 billion by 2022, with CBD-infused food products playing a significant role in the growth of this market.

With such a rise in consumer demands and a shift in consumer preferences, Cannabis Drinks are only becoming a mainstream product between consumers.

This article is sourced from Visual Capitalist and Trait Biosciences