In an age in which we optimize everything from our calendars to our workouts, it makes sense that we want our beverages to work double-time for us. Water’s great and all, but sometimes, you just want a little something extra. And that’s exactly what functional drinks are about!
From supporting your body’s post-workout recovery to helping you find calm at the end of a crazy day, there are all sorts of options these days that are formulated with specific ingredients to support various health goals. Many of the functional drinks you’ll find at The Vitamin Shoppe, for instance, contain herbs, amino acids, mushrooms, vitamins and minerals, detoxifying agents (like charcoal), and even probiotics, so that every sip does more than just quench your thirst.
Where to start? Give the following popular functional drinks a shot the next time you want to spice up your hydration game.
To wake Up or Wind Down: Host Defense Mycobrew Mixes
Functional mushrooms are a trend that just keeps on giving, which makes sense considering the broad spectrum of health benefits these powerful fungi have to offer. With their Mycobrew drink mix line, Host Defense (which is pretty much the OG in the world of mushroom supps) gives you the chance to infuse your favorite warm beverages (think coffee, cocoa, and matcha) with the benefits of Lion’s Mane mycelium. Whether you want to upgrade your morning java or wind down in the afternoon with a mug of rich cocoa, these drink mixes make your favorite ritual go the extra mile for your health.
For Post-Workout Recovery: FitAID Athletic Recovery
FITAID’s lineup of athletic recovery drinks is always evolving—and they’ve got an option for everyone. Try their classic Citrus Medley-flavored can to score a slew of recovery-boosting ingredients, including BCAAs and l-glutamine (to support muscles), turmeric, omega-3s, and key vitamins. Or, check out the Rx options, which offer all of that plus a gram of creatine to fuel your muscles for recovery and growth. Whichever FITAID you choose, it’s a great way to support your body after a workout—or a long, stressful day.
To Drink Your Hemp: MAD TASTY
Hemp extract continues to be a huge trend, making its way into everything from supplements to snacks and drinks. With MAD TASTY‘s flavored sparkling waters, you’ll get 25 milligrams of the balance-promoting plant extract in every can. Or, opt for the Body+Mind Wellness shots for a more concentrated health boost that packs 50 milligrams of hemp extract plus other helpful ingredients like ginger and elderberry.
To Fuel Your Workouts: Amino Energy + Electrolytes
If you want a boost of energy—and then some—before a workout, try Optimum Nutrition’s Amino Energy + Electrolytes. In addition to 100 milligrams of naturally-sourced caffeine, every can also provides amino acids to support muscle growth and electrolytes to support hydration and endurance. Amino Energy + Electrolytes is also a great go-to when you need a sugar-free, mid-afternoon boost. It comes in eight delicious flavors, so you’ll never get bored.
For a Sugar-Free Energy Boost: Celsius
Even energy drinks are getting a functional makeover these days—and Celsius is a prime example. A great alternative to many of the sugar-packed energy drinks (and acidic coffee) out there, Celsius’ sugar-free drinks provide energy without anything artificial, says Karen Cooney, M.A., C.N., C.H.H.C., nutritionist for The Vitamin Shoppe. The Cucumber Lime and Grapefruit flavors, in particular, are also sucralose-free, and sweetened with erythritol and stevia. In addition to the caffeine you’ll get out of most energy drinks, Celsius provides a slew of vitamins and minerals, along with ginger extract, to support healthy metabolism.
For Protein On The Go: Alani Nu Fit Shake
People are absolutely obsessed with Alani Nu‘s protein shakes—and the truly drool-worthy flavors and bold packaging are really just the half of it. Each delicious grab-and-go protein shake provides a solid 20 grams of protein from milk protein isolate and milk protein concentrate, and is made with real cream and sugar, meaning every sip is rich and smooth as can be.
For Athletic Endurance: BIOSTEEL Sports Hydration Drinks
BIOSTEEL Sports Hydration Drinks are formulated to provide endurance athletes and gym-goers with the fuel they need during and after training. While electrolytes and B vitamins support hydration and energy, immune-supporting nutrients and amino acids (including glutamine and leucine) promote recovery. Unlike many performance drinks, BIOSTEEL’s beverages are free from sugar (they’re sweetened with stevia), caffeine, and artificial flavors and colors.
For A Collagen Boost: SkinTe Sparkling Collagen Tea
Your liquid ticket to radiance, SkinTe’s infused tea combines vitamin C, 3,000 milligrams of collagen, and a variety of herbs in a bubbly drink that tastes as good as it makes you feel. In the lineup of herbs: horsetail, which promotes healthy hair, skin, and nails, nettle root, which contains vitamins and minerals for overall health, antioxidant-packed and mood-boosting hawthorn berry, and passion flower, which is famous for supporting mood. Every sip is good news for inner and outer beauty.
To Nourish Your Gut: Health-Ade Pop Prebiotic Soda
Health-Ade is famous for its kombucha, but its prebiotic sodas are the brand’s unsung heroes. Available in three fun and refreshing flavors—Ginger Fizz, Strawberry Vanilla, and Pomegranate Berry—the sodas are made by combining fermented tea with juices, natural extracts, and a touch of natural sweetener with inulin, a source of prebiotic fiber. (FYI: Prebiotic fiber is the food the healthy bacteria, a.k.a. probiotics, in your gut feed off of.) They’re a tasty and inventive way to nourish your good gut bugs throughout the day—and we’ve got a gut feeling you’ll love every sip.
For 24/7 Body Fuel: PRIME
PRIME‘s hydration drinks help you stay hydrated during your toughest training sessions, refuel your hard-working muscles after the gym, and support overall health all day long. Containing 10 percent coconut water, plus electrolytes, immune-loving zinc, BCAAs, and antioxidants, it’s a full-package sports drink formula that’s become a fan favorite both in and out of the gym. Made without artificial colors and using natural flavors (and in a bottle that’s at least 25 percent recycled plastic), it’s a sip you can feel good about relying on all day long, whether you’re crushing the bench press or crunching numbers at your desk.