What Are The Best Health Drinks In The UK?
There has never been more variety on our shelves, be it kidney beans, ice cream or toothpaste. It's undeniable, the market is full of choice. Not only that, but categories are merging & innovating - anyone tried the Smirnoff cider?
Whilst variety is the spice of life, it can be baffling, as realised recently when it took me a good 6 minutes to decide which porridge oats really were best for me (it turns out it was mighty oats due to their eco friendly credentials, always worth paying more for IMO).
The health drinks market is certainly no exception to this. A few years ago an innocent smoothie was the only way to get our daily boost of goodness. Now we have products promising gut health utopia, potent natural energy & chemically induced calm in a can. Plus a minimum of 30 different fruity, leafy juices. I'm currently loving Mockingbird's range right now...
So, what are the best health drinks in the UK right now? Catalyse of course... what more could you need! Whilst I'm biased, here's a more balanced guide to help cut through the confusion & decide what's right for you.
1- What are my goals?
Some products do sign post their benefits 'Energy', 'Immunity'. Others just list their ingredients, which can make it a bit trickier to figure out if say, Vitamin D3, will help achieve your current goal. I named my range by their benefit to help simplify if it'll help meet your needs. If, for example you're looking for an immunity boost, products that include an 'entourage' of ingredients will be more potent than your basic vitamin C drink. By that I mean, products that combine a mix of active ingredients that help work together to deliver a multi layered boost of immunity, energy etc.
Secondly, identify if your goals are to get that extra fruit & veg in your diet, or reduce sugar & carbs. Smoothies are brilliant at boosting our 5 a day, however can contribute a surprising amount of calories to our daily allowance
2- Am I looking for a short term or long term benefit?
It goes without saying, if you want an instant shot of energy, caffeine in an undeniable way to suppress adenosine (the chemical that makes us sleepy), and give that immediate hit. The effects however can be short lived. Products that combine a mix of B vitamins & adaptogens however can help turn our food into fuel, which gives a longer lasting enhancement of energy.
As much as I tried to develop a product that would make our hair & nails double their growth rate, sadly thats not possible from a drink - yet... So if you are looking to develop an outer glow from within, consistently including ingredients like Zinc, Biotin & Retinol in our diet is the most natural way to get there over time. That's why I included them all in The Beauty Blend. Refreshing & convenient.
Relaxation on the other hand is a bit easier to achieve in the short term. I'm still not sure whether my nightly camomile tea actually helps me fall asleep, or whether it was a clever marketing ploy. However, adaptogens & nootropics, can help regulate your nervous system in the short term, helping lead to a greater sense of serenity in the moment. Some ingredients that I use in The Relaxation Blend are derived from ancient Eastern medicine, used as a cure for insomnia. Alcohol was my go to relaxation tipple for about 15 years. It's quick to act, tasty & seemingly sophisticated. However, the morning anxiety outweighed the benefits for me, which opened the door for more natural solutions, such as The Relaxation Blend.
3- What should I look out for?
I would never talk badly about fellow health drink brands, however what's key when deciding to level up to a 'health drink' over your standard water, is to look out for the RDI %. I have included 100% of your recommended daily intake of each vitamin that I use. This is the best way to ensure you're getting value for money. Products with 10-20% RDI, might make it harder to get a benefit from that vitamins & minerals.
Another issue I found when adding healthy ingredients to the range is that they can have a funny taste. After all, Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid aren't renowned for it's juicy, fruity taste profile. Some brands can add excess sugar to help mask the taste. So whilst you might be getting a healthy amount of adaptogens, you could also unwittingly be drinking a lot of sugar. I chose botanical & natural flavours to help balance the taste profiles, without going over 26 calories a can
Well, I hope this has helped you decipher what's best for you. However if you're still unsure, why not give Catalyse a try. Whatever your mood, we've got a blend for you.
Good luck & Have a great day!
Eirian X