Functional Food and Beverages for Cognitive Performance

Health & Functionality

One growing area within functional health focuses on brain health. As dementia related conditions become more common, many consumers aged 50 plus are looking to strengthen and train their brains.

At the same time, younger consumers are seeking targeted support for focus, concentration, memory, and improved thinking ability ahead of exams and work related tasks.

Against this backdrop, a new market report by Research and Markets forecasts that the global market for food and beverages supporting cognitive performance will grow through 2029 at an average annual rate of 8.38 percent.

At the center of this category are food and beverage products fortified with one of three key ingredients:

• Magnesium: associated with reduced stress and improved sleep and focus.
• L-theanine: derived from green tea extract, associated with improved memory, often alongside stimulating caffeine.
• DHA: an omega 3 fatty acid, perceived as supporting brain development in toddlers and helping preserve cognitive ability in older adults.

Food Navigator, December 8, 2025 | Read more