I remember trying Kambucha which is a fermented, sweet, and slightly carbonated black tea drink that is low in calories and contains vinegar, B vitamins, and other chemical compounds. It had originated in China many years ago and was thought to create probiotics, which are bacteria that help keep the gut healthy. Personally, I thought it tasted disgusting regardless of its benefit. Read more about Kambucha here. There are many other drinks that are supposedly good for us but are they? Years ago orange juice was thought to be very healthy because it had vitamin C, yet, the amount of sugar in it was also so high counteracting any real benefit of the vitamin C. Flavored seltzers may have some benefits too, but they are mostly flavored water with carbonation and some flavor from whatever they put in it. Recently, consumer reports did an article looking at the different drinks, and their health effects, mood effects and other effects. Check it out below. Are Probiotic Sodas, Stress-Relieving Tonics, and Other So-Called Healthy Drinks Good for You? Find out whether those functional beverages as well as green juices and kombucha can boost energy, immunity, and mood By Rachel Meltzer Warren February 1, 2024 You’re walking past the beverage fridge at the store, and among the regular sodas, seltzers, and juices are drinks that are claimed to improve your health in all sorts of ways. This can mean easing stress, boosting immunity, or getting you energized or super-hydrated. Functional beverages—as the drink industry likes to refer to them—often contain ingredients that were once found only in supplements or herbal teas: probiotics, prebiotics, hibiscus, ashwagandha, “medicinal” mushrooms, and more. And they’re popular. These days, nearly 40 percent of adults seek out drinks with ingredients said to confer wellness, according to the research firm Packaged Facts. One possible reason: Consumers have “pill fatigue,” according to Howard Telford, senior industry manager for soft drinks research at Euromonitor International in Chicago. And beverages are seen as an easier, more enjoyable way to get herbs and other supplements into their diets, he says. While some of these drinks are better for you (though pricier) than sugary sodas or alcohol, do they do all that’s claimed? We looked at the ingredients and tasted a number of the beverages. Here’s what’s actually good for you and how they taste too. Read more.