Beverages of the Future –
Visiting Expert Answers Some Tough Questions
In a special visit to New Zealand this week Director of Nutrition and Health Sciences at the Beverage Institute for
Health and Wellness, Dr Maxime Buyckx, aims to answer the question; How will beverages of the future contribute to our
health and well-being?
Dr Buyckx is visiting New Zealand to speak to dietitians, health professionals, food industry and educators in Auckland
and Wellington.
The opportunity to address people’s health concerns in beverage development and selection is a topical one, and Dr
Buyckx says the Beverage Institute for Health and Wellness focuses on beverage development to address specific health
and nutritional needs within society.
“Beverages offer huge potential in terms of health-giving properties and nutrients. It is essential that we ensure the
range of beverages available addresses people’s needs given the growing concern about heath and nutrition.” The
Beverage Institute for Health and Wellness is a division of The Coca-Cola Company. Donald Short leads the Institute,
which was launched in March this year and is based in Houston, Texas. It is independent from the commercial side of The
Coca-Cola Company, and was established specifically to examine the science of beverages.
Dr Buyckx’s visit continues to build on the initiatives that Coca-Cola has developed and supported in the past two
years. This includes support of the Go Kids! out of school physical activity and fitness initiative for children
participating in after school and holiday programmes, the voluntary removal of all sweetened soft drinks from primary
school vending machines, the continued development of diet and lite beverage options and the creation of an Activity
Balance Choice brochure highlighting the wide range of beverage choices available.