Functional beverage
Functional beverages or beverage function ( engl. functional drink ) are soft drinks that contain certain additives and similar according to the manufacturer such as functional food not only quench thirst, but to promote health or stimulating.
Functional beverages can be broadly classified into
- Health drinks
- Wellness drink ( drug substances )
- Sports drinks and
- Energy drinks
The German Consumer Organizations established in 238 examined functional drinks a total of 103 active substances that were advertised.
Drinks that promise health benefits, often vitamins, minerals, probiotics, fiber, aloe vera are added, apple cider vinegar or green tea. Known functional drinks of this type of multivitamin juice and drinking yoghurt. Quite often the combination of vitamins A, C and E.
The so-called healthy beverages are often added substances such as acerola, green tea, ginkgo or Kombucha.
The sports drinks are intended not only to compensate for the fluid loss through sweating, but also carry minerals and act partly performance-enhancing. This segment also includes mineral waters with special additions of herbs, vitamins or oxygen. Some of these drinks, but also added sugar.
Energy drinks are popular with young consumers. They consist mainly of water and sugar and enriched with additives such as caffeine, guarana or taurine. They are advertised as " energy booster ". You have a stimulating effect, a performance-enhancing effect has not been established. In the meantime, drink mineral water with caffeine additive on the market.
Criticism
The German Nutrition Society ( DGE) and the consumer centers are functional beverages generally critical or hostile towards, because they doubt their health benefits. The DGE refers to the supply of the German population with all necessary vitamins as sufficient; only vegans are often undersupplied with some B - vitamins. A protection against heart attack or cancer before the addition of ACE is not supported by studies. In smokers, the intake of beta carotene actually increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Many of the offered drinks contain relatively high amounts of sugar and also artificial sweeteners, also most of the drinking yoghurts. The addition of medicinal plants reject the consumer centers, as in uncontrolled supply caution is warranted. An overdose can be harmful to health.