“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”—Hippocrates
With the increased interest in healthy diets to support wellness, people are trying new beverages that contain nutrients that help to calm, soothe, and energize. Manufacturers claim these drinks can reduce anxiety, improve sleep, sharpen focus, and more.
What Are Functional Beverages?
Functional beverages are fortified with beneficial nutrients that supposedly provide an extra health benefit to the consumer beyond basic nutrition. These are usually nonalcoholic drinks that contain nontraditional ingredients. Beverages that fall into his category include dairy-based beverages, sports and performance drinks, energy drinks, ready-to-drink teas, fortified fruit and vegetable drinks, plant milks, legume-based and grain-based drinks, and enhanced water.
