The Truth About Functional Beverages: Can Soda Ever Truly be Good for You?

Can Soda Ever Truly Be Good for You?

This is a question that has been asked by many people when they see claims on cans and bottles at the grocery store or gas station that suggest the soft drink has wellness benefits. But are these claims actually true? Functional beverages, as they’re called in the drink industry, often contain ingredients that were once only found in supplements or herbal teas.

Probiotics and prebiotics are now added to many cold drinks, such as Culture Pop Probiotic Soda, Wild Berries & Lime, which Consumer Reports testers found to have a well-balanced sweet and tart flavor without any sugar substitutes. However, Consumer Reports’ Amy Keating 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.

Healthy-sounding 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 regardless of the type of drink, it’s important to check for added sugars, sodium