What are Functional Beverages?
The following article was written by Heinen’s Chief Dietitian, Melanie Jatsek RD, LD.
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When a popular soft drink does a complete 180, transforming into a low-sugar, high-fiber beverage designed to feed healthy gut bacteria, you know the times are a-changing.
Now more than ever, people are seeking results from their food beyond merely satisfying hunger and thirst. And when enough of us demand it, food companies respond. That’s exactly what happened with Slice, the 1980s fruit-flavored soda mentioned above, except that the can bears no resemblance to the original drink.
Why Do You Eat What You Eat?
What we eat is important, but even more important is the why behind the what. In other words, why do we eat what we eat?
Taste, food cravings, family traditions, dietary restrictions, and nutrition are some of the reasons people give for their food choices. Another driver of choice is the desire for a specific physical, mental, or emotional outcome.
I’ve often said that our health would drastically improve if we approached eating with an end in mind. Namely, letting our desired outcome drive our food choices. A desired outcome may be to:
- Normalize blood sugar
- Improve skin health
- Lower inflammation
- Reduce joint pain
- Gain energy
- Improve mental focus
- Reach a healthier cholesterol profile.
- Feel happier
This is where the world of functional foods and beverages comes to help us out.
Functional Beverages: Strategic Thirst Quenchers
Functional foods provide targeted health benefits—beyond basic nutrition—to actively support overall wellness. Fx Pillar 6 is dedicated exclusively to functional foods, which include an array of herbs, spices, fermented foods, mushrooms, and functional food powders.
Functional beverages are infused with these health-boosting ingredients to help you nourish and hydrate with purpose.
This article highlights the unique assortment of Fx-Approved functional beverages available in Heinen’s Wellness Department, designed with your end goals in mind.
Digestive Relief, Fitness, Stamina, and Endurance
- ARMRA Colostrum Soda: With over 400 bioactive nutrients, ARMRA Colostrum™ fuses nature’s first food with cutting-edge science, and is available for you to enjoy as a refreshing fizzy beverage!
Hair, Skin & Nail Health
Perfect for anyone looking to support skin health while enjoying a light, refreshing beverage!
- Pretty Tasty Collagen Iced Tea: This new take on iced tea packs 10 grams of premium bovine collagen peptides per can and comes without added sugar (Stevia-sweetened) and 60 mg of natural caffeine from black tea—the amount in one shot of espresso or a 6-ounce cup of brewed coffee.
- Vital Proteins Collagen Sparkling Water
Improved Stress Response
- Trip: Made of adaptogenic herbs, mushrooms, and amino acids to promote a balanced mood and feelings of well-being.
- Vybes: This tasty magnesium-rich beverage supports relaxation and sleep.
Focus and Mental Clarity
- Ginsa Sparkling Ginseng Tonic: Red ginseng is an adaptogenic root believed to benefit circulation, concentration, energy, stress response, and mood. It’s also the main ingredient in this new functional beverage at Heinen’s.
Energy Boost (minus the jitters)
- Just Ingredients Energy + Brain Boost Soda: A sparkling energy drink powered by 100 mg of organic green tea caffeine and paired with adaptogens like ginseng and maca root, nootropics like L-theanine and citicoline, and active B vitamins to help support steady energy.
Cleansing & Detoxification
- Be Amazing: Shelf-stable, ready-to-drink greens with fruits, veggies, mushrooms, and cleansing functional ingredients like spirulina and chlorella.
Gut Health
Probiotic drinks populated with healthy bacteria:
- Culture Pop
- GTs Kombucha
- Humm Kombucha
Prebiotic drinks to feed your healthy bacteria:
- Popwell
- Poppi
- Olipop
- Slice
Key Takeaway
From gut health to energy and mental focus, people are increasingly letting their wellness goals guide their food choices—and functional foods and beverages are making it easier to eat and drink with purpose. So go ahead and create your own personal “wish list” and let Heinen’s Wellness Consultants help you find a refreshing Fx-Approved functional beverage to support it.
*Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before beginning any new supplements.
