It is also the leading functional drinks brand in the Republic of Ireland, with 97% market distribution. Nichols health pushOn the acquisition, Nichols says the beverage business has ‘clear’ organic growth opportunities and synergies, and is set to enhance ‘attractive’ shareholder returns. The move follows the manufacturer’s recent investment into functional drinks, following the rollout of Vimto Wonderfuel and the planned launch of Myprotein Water later this year. Today, the UK functional drinks market is worth £5.8 billion and continues to witness strong growth, increasing by 10% between 2025 and 2026. “We are delighted to welcome the VITHIT team to Nichols and look forward to working together to realise the significant opportunities ahead.”