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I Just Want a Normal Drink

Recently, a balmy spring day left me feeling parched. I needed a beverage—stat!—and had forgotten my water bottle at home. I ducked into a nearby CVS to pick up a drink. The choices were so overwhelming, I nearly forgot my thirst. The drink aisle included a bevy of the usual thirst-quenching options—and some that looked like they belonged in an apothecary rather than next to the LaCroix. Row upon row of multicolored cans and bottles held drinks with purposes beyond mere hydration and flavor. Some promised to improve my energy, immunity, or gut health. Others claimed to stimulate mind states such as clarity, balance, or calm. Fizzy or flat, juice or tea, high in protein or in probiotics?

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What are “Functional” Beverages?

It’s official. “Functional” drinks are the next big thing. Although the term has been around for a while to describe any kind of drink with an effect beyond hydration (i.e. energy drinks or vitamin water), it’s steadily becoming synonymous with zero-proof beverages. Today, there are dozens of alcohol-free options on the market that tout adaptogens, botanicals, nootropics, and other “functional” elements as part of their ingredient list. That all sounds very cool, but what does it actually mean? Basically, the “functional” label indicates that at least one ingredient within the drink has added benefits that you wouldn’t find in your typical beverage option. The effects of these ingredients vary, from improving digestion to boosting your mood, and it’s all done through the magic of food science. The function comes from incorporating ingredients that have been used for centuries in natural medicine with newer, synthetic ingredients.

What does science say about the ingredients in functional beverages?

Functional beverages — or drinks promoted as offering mental or physical benefits beyond hydration — are growing in popularity around the world. Hundreds of companies have jumped into the market, hoping to get some buzz with trendy and sometimes unfamiliar ingredients.

What Is a Functional Beverage?

From beauty drinks to energy shots, functional beverages offer physical and mental benefits that consumers want. Learn what a functional beverage is and explore the different types of functional beverages and functional ingredients.