From immune-enhancing vitamin C and gut-supporting probiotics to electrolyte replenishers, there are beverages for every wellness goal. Many of these products even feature delicious flavors that blend seamlessly with their health-focused messaging and ingredients – like classic fruit flavors such as mango or apple as well as new botanicals such as ashwagandha and turmeric!
A growing range of alcoholic drinks is being released onto the market, promising mood-enhancing benefits through adaptogens like Mayan aphrodisiac damiana and stress-buster ashwagandha. Other ingredients popularly used include ketones that cross blood-brain barriers to provide energy for brain functions.
1. Milk
Milk is an invaluable ally when it comes to supporting healthy lifestyles, and wellness drinks have taken advantage of its versatility to promote good health. From protein-infused milks and smoothies containing probiotics to oat-based milks with added probiotics containing probiotics – these beverages offer natural sources of proteins, vitamins, minerals and soluble fiber that provide essential nutrition.
Savvy brands are meeting women’s demand for functional benefits that support various wellness goals, from gut and digestion support to brain health benefits and stress relief. Furthermore, these nutritional products also address other specific nutritional requirements, such as strengthening immune systems or managing cholesterol levels.
Poppi, a low-sugar organic beverage with prebiotics (harvard Health), feeds our good bacteria (harvard Health). Meanwhile, water kefir drink Elements by Lokai features an infusion of ashwagandha with white peach, lemon verbena, and moringa to combat fatigue, improve sleep quality and boost energy.
2. Zero-Calorie Beverages
Many drinks now offer sugar-free versions of their full-sugar drinks, like Diet Dr Pepper, that taste almost identical while still helping you reduce calories and sugar by about 150 per 12-ounce can.
While zero calorie beverages can provide essential hydration, many contain artificial sweeteners and preservatives which could compromise your health in the form of disrupting hunger hormones or increasing appetite. Studies show this trend.
Looking for carbonated drinks containing naturally occurring flavors is key – sparkling water or seltzer with slices of citrus fruit, mint leaves or lemongrass for example are good choices, or caffeine-free Zevia which contains stevia extract (300x sweeter than sugar but no impact on blood sugar levels) is another popular example. Hint Water offers fruit flavored waters without additional ingredients or sugar while Zevia is Non-GMO Verified with caffeine-free option that contains no additional additives such as preservatives.
3. Plant-Based Beverages
Plant-based beverages have become increasingly popular as dairy milk alternatives, offering options to individuals who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy proteins as well as those on vegan or vegetarian diets. There is an assortment of flavors and nutritional compositions available so as to meet varying tastes and dietary needs.
These beverages are composed of various raw materials, such as cereals (oats and rice), legumes (such as soybeans and peas), pseudo-cereals (quinoa), seeds (walnuts and peanuts), high-protein or fatty fruits such as coconut, and pseudo-cereals like quinoa. Roasting often yields aromas such as nutty, burnt or sweet; additionally they may have grassy or raw earthy notes from low molecular weight alcohols, aldehydes ketones or furans present.
Finding an organic and non-GMO beverage is key when selecting plant-based beverages, particularly ones with additives containing carrageenan (see Cornucopia report for details). Also look out for beverages fortified with vitamins and minerals – look in the Nutrition Facts table to ensure this.
4. Water
Water is the go-to beverage for health-minded drinkers, providing essential hydration without adding calories or sugar to their diets. Water also supports immune system function, reduces inflammation, promotes digestive health and assists the kidneys in flushing away toxins through their kidneys.
Other healthy options for drinkers are low-cal or moderate ABV alcoholic drinks such as wine and ciders, or fruity and nutrient-packed beverages like green juices and smoothies made with raw fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. An emerging trend of wellness beverages seeks to address specific health concerns; one in three consumers rank wellbeing as their number one food-related value when making eating decisions. Calming/relaxation beverages offer an opportunity to capitalize on this growing consumer need – recent releases include Juice Lab Wellness’s calming tea and HOP WTR’s sparkling seltzer with ashwagandha to calm and relax their mind!
Wellness beverages often feature vibrant pastel colors and 70s nostalgia logos that create a visual cue for consumers to make more health-conscious decisions. Refreshing citrus, berry blend and herbal infusion flavors are particularly effective at creating this link between taste and health-oriented messaging.
