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Don’t hesitate to try this cloudy-looking beverage—looks can be deceiving. Sneaky Pete’s Mango Mystique flavor reminds me of the Tropical Welch’s I grew up drinking, but its nutrition profile surpasses that frozen juice concentrate. Made with oat bran, a 12-ounce serving offers 5 grams of fiber (3 dietary, 2 soluble) and only 40 calories. Because it’s sweetened with erythritol and evaporated cane juice, it’s also low in sugar at only 5 grams.
Far and away the cleanest energy drink I’ve ever seen, this certified-organic beverage revs you up naturally using guarana, ginseng, green tea and green coffee beans. That’s right—nothing artificial or unpronounceable here. Sweetened with agave and lemon, pomegranate and elderberry juices, it tastes great—kind of like a tart Pomegranate Izze. Try both the Light (78 calories) and Original (112 calories).
This beverage, pronounced “noggin,” doesn’t actually include a Tarocco orange; but for what it lacks in label transparency, it makes up in efficacy. Touted as the drink when you want to think, Nawgan actually improves alertness with 250 mg of Cognizin, a brand of citicoline. Beta-carotene supplies the vibrant orange hue. If Nawgan ditched the soy lecithin, this brain booster would get two instead of one thumb up.
This latest drinkable chia is for people who appreciate the seed’s impressive nutrient profile but not its gummy texture when added to beverages. By grinding the seeds, Chia\Vie delivers all the omega-3s (2,500 mg) and fiber but with a smoothie-like texture so you hardly notice the chia. This vegan drink also delivers two servings of fruit in every bottle and contains no genetically modified ingredients or added sugar.
Relying on coconut water for natural hydration, this better-for-you Gatorade-like drink steers clear of artificial colors, preservatives and GM ingredients. It’s also made with half the sodium of many sports drinks and is sweetened with agave. Latin-inspired flavors such as Mango-Limon, Mandarina and, my favorite, Jamaica (hibiscus punch) are sure to attract Hispanic consumers, as will the drink’s clever name. Golazo means “super goal” in Spanish.
Relying on coconut water for natural hydration, this better-for-you Gatorade-like drink steers clear of artificial colors, preservatives and GM ingredients. It’s also made with half the sodium of many sports drinks and is sweetened with agave. Latin-inspired flavors such as Mango-Limon, Mandarina and, my favorite, Jamaica (hibiscus punch) are sure to attract Hispanic consumers, as will the drink’s clever name. Golazo means “super goal” in Spanish.
By using healthful whole foods, the latest functional beverages are spinning this notoriously sugar-laden, synthetic ingredient–reliant category on its head. Chia, coconut water and oats are the big players delivering the nutrition consumers require. Major benefits such as increased energy and reduced cholesterol continue to drive category growth; and by using ingredients that shoppers already know to be healthful, manufacturers can skirt potentially litigious functional claims.
This doesn’t necessarily mean lesser-known, clinically backed ingredients are getting the boot. As consumers seek products to support weight management, brain function, eye health and other areas of wellness, beverages such as Nawgan, boosted by an efficacious dose of citicoline, won’t fade into the periphery. Just expect increased scrutiny at the shelf as consumers weigh inherently natural options against their traditional, fortified counterparts.
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