What’s a “functional beverage?”

What if your go-to beverage did more than just quench your thirst? That’s the idea behind functional beverages — non-alcoholic drinks designed to support your health in ways that go beyond hydration. From boosting energy and focus to aiding digestion or easing stress, these drinks blend refreshment with purpose. 

In recent years, natural shoppers have led the charge, moving past the old “no sugar, zero calories” labels toward beverages packed with ingredients to support well-being. The result? A booming category filled with innovative blends, rediscovered traditional remedies, and smart alternatives to sugary sodas.

While functional beverages offer a range of benefits, it’s important to remember they’re not quick fixes or substitutes for balanced nutrition. Research is still evolving. Think of these drinks as helpful (and tasty!) additions to your wellness journey rather than replacements for whole foods, exercise or rest.

Traditional favorites for hydration and gut health

Staying hydrated is key to feeling your best, but not all drinks do the job equally well. Conventional sports drinks developed for elite athletes to replace electrolytes, but many natural shoppers are turned off by the artificial flavors and frankly alarming colors. Natural alternatives such as coconut water have become a popular way to rehydrate. 

Gut health is another powerhouse trend. A thriving microbiome can support digestion, immunity, metabolism and even mood. That’s where probiotics (live beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (plant fibers that feed those bacteria) come in.

Looking for natural hydration or gut-friendly fizz? Try these favorites.

• Vita Coco — an electrolyte-rich natural alternative to conventional sports drinks.
• Health-Ade Kombucha — tangy, fizzy kombucha rich in probiotics for gut health.
• Humm Kombucha — fruit-forward flavors with vitamin B12 that make probiotics easy to enjoy.
• Brew Dr. Kombucha —  craft-brewed kombucha with unique tea blends and live cultures.

The new soda

For decades, soda has been loved for its sweetness and fizz, but also criticized for its sky-high sugar content and artificial flavors. Now, a new wave of “functional sodas” is reimagining the classic pop experience. These bubbly beverages keep the fun but trade empty calories for functional ingredients like prebiotics to support gut health, or adaptogens to ease stress and enhance mood.

Think of them as old-fashioned favorites with a modern upgrade.

• Popwell — bubbly sodas with prebiotics to help support a healthy gut.
• Olipop — classic soda flavors reimagined with prebiotics and fiber for better digestion.
• Poppi — light, fruity fizz powered by prebiotics for a happy microbiome.
• Reed’s — bold ginger sodas boosted with prebiotics and adaptogens to refresh and restore.

Plant-based boosts: Mushrooms & adaptogens

Coffee may be the world’s oldest functional beverage, but the familiar boost-and-crash has many people searching for something gentler. Enter nootropics — compounds that support memory, focus, creativity, and motivation. From adaptogenic herbs to functional mushrooms, plant-based blends are booming as smarter alternatives to your morning cup.

If you’re ready to sip beyond coffee, here are a few plant-powered options worth trying.

• G.T.’s ALIVE line — herbal tea blends with adaptogens designed to support focus and mental clarity.
• MUD/WTR — a rich coffee alternative powered by functional mushrooms, for steady energy without the crash.
• Moment — sparkling botanicals that help calm the mind and support better sleep (*think of it as “drinkable meditation”).

Trailblazers with purpose

Some functional beverages are so innovative, they almost defy categorization. Instead of sticking to familiar ingredients, these trailblazers push boundaries with bold new approaches to wellness.

• OoMee — a gut-supporting twist that introduces “seabiotics,” prebiotics derived from seaweed to feed the microbiome and curb cravings.
• GUSH — a traditional remedy made with Korean pear juice, popular for its potential to prevent hangovers.

No matter your health goals, there’s likely a functional beverage to match. Want better hydration? Reach for coconut water or kombucha. Craving a soda but not the empty calories? Try a bubbly prebiotic blend. Looking for focus without the caffeine crash? Explore nootropics and adaptogens.

The beauty of this growing category is that nature already provides the building blocks — plants, probiotics and more. Innovation doesn't need to be unnatural or synthetic. Non-GMO Project Verified functional beverages offer new and delicious ways to support your wellbeing.

The next time you raise a glass, mug or can, support your body and mind as well as wetting your whistle. Cheers to drinking smarter!