What are functional beverages, and should you be drinking them?

Functional beverages are drinks specially formulated with ingredients that provide health benefits. Functional beverages are everywhere, offering a range of health benefits from gut health to energy support and metabolism. Learn more about functional beverages and whether you should include them in your diet.

What is a functional beverage?

Functional foods are defined as “foods and food components that provide a health benefit beyond basic nutrition.” In other words, functional beverages are alcohol-free drinks that contain ingredients beneficial for health.

Among well-known functional beverages are dairy and non-dairy-based products. Non-dairy-based products include sports and performance drinks, energy drinks, kombucha, enhanced water, fortified juice, and other beverages that contain bioactive ingredients.

The goal of functional beverages is to increase the nutritional content of the drink. Some functional beverages may also be designed to prevent certain diseases.

What are the potential health benefits of functional beverages?

You'll find functional beverages enhanced with bioactive ingredients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibers, probiotics, and plant extracts. These ingredients are intended to provide additional health benefits such as:

• Blood sugar and cholesterol support
• Immune and digestive support
• Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects
• Energy and hydration
• Reduced joint pain
• Mood boosts
• Improved satiety
• Improved athletic performance

What drinks are considered functional beverages?

You may be surprised to realize that many common drinks fall under the definition of functional beverages.

• Kefir
• Fortified or ultra-pasteurized milks
• Superfruit juices
• Pre- or probiotic-enriched juices
• Hydration or electrolyte beverages (including powders mixed with water)
• Sports drinks
• Energy drinks
• Sparkling water mixed with tea
• Yerba mate

Should you drink functional beverages?

Functional beverages can be part of a regular, healthy diet. Still, health claims on these drinks are largely unregulated. While these benefits may be appealing, many functional beverages may contain high levels of sugar, caffeine, or other additives, which can have adverse health effects if consumed excessively.

When deciding if you should drink a functional beverage, consider the intended use and its benefits to you. For example, limit the consumption of sports drinks to bouts of exercise. Approach energy drinks with caution, given the high caffeine content and potential interaction between caffeine and bioactives that enhance caffeine’s effects on your body.

Some medications may interact with certain bioactive ingredients. Double-check the ingredient list to make sure the functional beverage is safe for you.

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