Credits: Social Media
Nutritionist recommends four ‘functional drinks’ to boost your health that aren’t greens powders
People on TikTok are going gaga for greens powders, a supplement that’s full of superfoods, phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
They are a great way to boost your health, but a nutritionist has recommended four other “functional drinks” that offer huge benefits too.
What are functional drinks?
A functional drink is a beverage that not only quenches your thirst but also contains a variety of nutrients that�offer specific health benefits or functionalities,” nutritionist Kyle Crowley explained.
They contain a specific lineup of natural ingredients, such as viamins and minerals, that are specifically selected for an intended benefit. For example, it could be improving gut health, increasing immunity, better brain health, improving concentration�and focus, supporting recovery, or boosting energy.
Benefits of greens powders
Greens powders are a little different as they don’t contain compounds for a specific function. They boost your general health by quickly and easily helping you intake the majority of your daily essential vitamins and minerals.
There are loads of different types on the market, all of which follow the same premise – a green powder which is combined with water and drank daily.
“Greens powders are a popular way to add superfoods, phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals into your diet. These often include spirulina, spinach and broccoli, with some greens drinks also containing adaptogens like ashwagandha,” the nutritionist said.
“They provide you with a great base of micronutrients and foundation for a healthy body, helping you to go about your daily life. Performance-led functional drinks are often found to aid a specific goal such as increasing energy.
However, he said that if you are looking for drinks that offer specific health benefits, there are other functional drinks out there.
4 more functional drinks
Nootropics
Nootropics are natural, semisynthetic or synthetic compounds which improve cognitive functions, such as attention or memory. They are essentially brain supplements, and are often found in tablet form, but can also be in drinks.
“Nootropics are a good alternative for those looking for increased energy without that dreaded caffeine crash. They are functional drinks that aid cognitive function and help boost energy by�containing the perfect ratio of L-theanine to caffeine,” Crowley said.
Kombucha
Another well-known functional drink is kombucha, a fermented, sweetened black tea which is great for the gut as it’s rich in probiotics and antioxidants, killing harmful bacteria and improving your overall gut health.
“As well as being beneficial to gut health, kombucha has similar benefits to green tea meaning it can improve cholesterol levels and help with blood sugar control,” the nutritionist added.
Protein shakes
Perhaps the most popular functional drink is protein shakes, which are a convenient way to boost the amount of protein in your body. They come in a variety of flavors and are often enriched with vitamins and minerals, providing micronutrients too.
Proteins are the building blocks of life, and every cell in the human body contains protein, MedlinePlus explains. It’s needed in your diet to help your body repair cells and make new ones, and is important for everyone not just those who go to the gym.
Electrolytes
Electrolyte drinks are a great way to improve your hydration levels. They are substances, such as sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium and calcium, that have a natural positive or negative electrical charge when dissolved in water.
“Electrolytes are found in blood, sweat, and urine, ingesting electrolyte drinks will replace any of the nutrients that the body loses. This is particularly important if you exercise a lot as the body loses electrolytes through sweat,” the nutritionist said.
Kyle Crowley is a nutritionist at UK-based functional foods brand Protein Works, and has an MSc in Sports Nutrition and a BSc Food Science.
