What's in your bottle? The healthier drinks Jamaicans are choosing
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For years, the beverage aisle has been dominated by sugary sodas, sweetened juices and flavoured water. Today, however, a quiet shift is taking place as more Jamaicans pay closer attention to what they are consuming and how it affects their health.
The change comes at a critical time. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and obesity, remain among the leading causes of illness and death in Jamaica. According to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, approximately one in every eight Jamaican adults is living with diabetes, while more than one in three adults has hypertension. Obesity rates have also continued to rise, particularly among women, increasing the risk of several chronic illnesses.
Health experts have long pointed to excessive sugar consumption, particularly through sugar-sweetened beverages, as a major contributor to these conditions. Globally, a landmark study published in Nature Medicine estimated that sugary drinks were linked to approximately 2.2 million new cases of type 2 diabetes and 1.2 million new cases of cardiovascular disease in 2020 alone. The study also found that Latin America and the Caribbean were among the regions carrying the highest health burden associated with sugary beverage consumption.
Against this backdrop, Jamaica's recently implemented sugar consumption tax (SCT), which imposes a tax on non-alcoholic sweetened beverages based on their sugar content, is generating renewed discussion about healthier beverage choices and encouraging manufacturers to rethink their product offerings.
While the tax has sparked conversations about higher prices, industry stakeholders believe it could also accelerate a growing demand for healthier beverage alternatives.
“We are seeing persons moving, as usual, natural juices, juices with a natural base, natural flavouring, has always been something popular,” said Colin Porter, manager of technical services at the Jamaica Business Development Corporation's (JBDC) Incubator & Resource Centre.
“But I am sure this will be growing a lot, especially since the government announced the sugar tax. You're going to have more beverages which are, if not sugar-free, less sugar, using other natural sweeteners that don't equate to the same amount of sugar in a beverage,” he added.
The shift toward healthier beverages is supported by growing international research. The World Health Organization (WHO) has consistently found that taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages can reduce consumption, improve nutrition and help lower rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. WHO research suggests that increasing the retail price of sugary drinks by at least 20 per cent can result in a proportional reduction in consumption, particularly among frequent consumers.
The organization also notes that sugar-sweetened beverages contribute significantly to excess calorie intake while offering little nutritional value. Regular consumption has been associated with increased risks of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and dental disease.
The trend reflects a broader global movement towards healthier eating and drinking habits. Consumers are increasingly seeking products that offer more than refreshment. They want beverages that align with their wellness goals, dietary preferences and active lifestyles.
As a result, beverage manufacturers are expanding their offerings to include functional drinks, plant-based alternatives and products made with natural ingredients.
Among the fastest-growing categories are beverages that deliver additional health benefits beyond hydration. Fermented drinks, herbal beverages and products containing functional ingredients are becoming more visible on supermarket shelves and at local markets.
Plant-based beverages are also attracting attention as consumers explore dairy-free options. Drinks made from soy, almonds and other nuts are creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to meet the needs of vegans, persons with lactose intolerance and health-conscious consumers looking for alternatives to traditional dairy products.
Innovation is also changing the ingredients finding their way into Jamaican beverages. While fruits such as mango, pineapple and carrot remain staples, producers are increasingly experimenting with vegetables and non-traditional ingredients.
“We have seen a rise in green juices made from things like okra and lettuce and kale and cucumber,” Porter said. These beverages appeal to consumers who are seeking nutrient-rich options and are willing to explore flavours beyond traditional fruit-based drinks.
Traditional Jamaican favourites are also being reinvented for a modern audience. Sorrel, long associated with Christmas celebrations, has evolved into a year-round product category. Today, entrepreneurs are transforming the hibiscus-based drink into specialty beverages, punches and liqueurs that appeal to a wider consumer market.
“We have moved from having sorrel as a Christmas drink or made at home to people making sorrel liqueurs and different sorrel punches and stuff that they can consume,” Porter said.
For consumers, the growing variety of beverage options presents an opportunity to make more informed choices. Health experts continue to encourage Jamaicans to pay close attention to nutrition labels, particularly added sugar content, ingredient lists and serving sizes.
The JBDC Incubator & Resource Centre (IRC) is aiming to fuel this demand by giving agro-processors a space to manufacture these beverages on a larger scale. With support from in-house food technologist and product development specialists, producers who are interested in formulating and producing functional beverages are encouraged to visit the agro-processing incubator housed at the JBDC IRC, which is available for rental at affordable rates.
The facility is equipped with world-class equipment designed to produce quality goods for global markets against the backdrop of increased exports being a key goal of the Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce (MIIC).
For Jamaica's agro-processors and beverage manufacturers, the growing interest in healthier products represents a significant opportunity. As consumers increasingly seek low-sugar, natural and functional beverages, local entrepreneurs are well-positioned to capitalise on a market that continues to expand globally.
As Jamaica confronts the rising burden of lifestyle-related diseases, the movement toward healthier beverages may prove to be more than a passing trend, it could become an important part of the country's broader effort to build a healthier future.