Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (NYSE: DPS) is making a $20 million investment in BA Sports Nutrition LLC, to take an 11.7% stake in the maker of the Bodyarmor sports drink.

Bodyarmor is a sports drink that is made with electrolytes, coconut water and pure cane sugar. It has no artificial colors or flavors. Plano, Texas-based Dr Pepper has been Bodyarmor’s distributor since 2013.

Whitestone, New York-based Bodyarmor was created in 2012 by Fuze beverage founder Lance Collins and Vitaminwater co-founder Mike Repole.

"Through our partnership with DPS, we are continuing to gain distribution throughout the United States, and we are on our way to becoming a national brand,” says Repole.

Bodyarmor’s other investors include a roster of popular athletes such as  Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles outfielder Mike Trout, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots.

There continues to be a strong demand for healthy food and beverages.  For instance, Repole was the chairman of Pirate’s Booty when it was sold to B&G Foods Inc. (NYSE: BGS) in June 2013 for $195 million.

Consumer interest in healthy living has also contributed to a handful of vitamins, minerals and supplements transactions. For more, see Supplement Deals Flourish, Even after Investigations.

For more on M&A trends in healthy snacks, see Snack Time.

Food and beverage industry