Can soda ever truly be good for you? This is a question that many people ask themselves when they see claims on cans and bottles at the grocery store or gas station suggesting that the soft drink has wellness benefits such as easing stress, boosting immunity, and increasing energy. But are these claims actually true? Functional beverages, as they are called in the drink industry, often contain ingredients that were once only found in supplements or herbal teas.
Probiotics and prebiotics are now being added to many cold drinks like Culture Pop Probiotic Soda and Wild Berries & Lime. These drinks have a well-balanced sweet and tart flavor without any sugar substitutes. However, Amy Keating from Consumer Reports warns that drinks with probiotics may not offer the same benefits as foods like yogurt and kimchi which have a wider variety of bacteria and other healthy compounds.
Green juices like Suja Organic Cold-Pressed Mighty Dozen can be a convenient way to get vitamins and minerals in your diet but they shouldn’t replace vegetables entirely. Consumer Reports recommends choosing green juices with vegetables as the main ingredient to get the most nutritional benefit.
Drinks marketed as stress-relievers like Recess Infused Sparkling Water Mood Raspberry Lemon and Droplet Sparkling Self-Care Beverage Pretty Balanced could be a tasty non-alcoholic alternative to wine or cocktails but their calming effects are not guaranteed to be significant.
When it comes to energy drinks, newer options like Aspire, Celsius, and Clean contain “natural” sources of caffeine with no chemical differences. But it’s important to check for added sugars, sodium, and other ingredients that may not be beneficial for your health. In most cases, people can get enough electrolytes from food but there are exceptions such as exercising for longer than an hour especially in hot humid conditions or experiencing diarrhea or vomiting then an electrolyte drink may be beneficial to help replenish lost electrolytes.