The function of functional drinks

As temperatures rise, people spend more time outdoors and various bottled beverages are selling hot. Interested people will find that in a variety of beverages, functional beverages from the dragon into a supporting role, and have become the protagonist of the trend.

Just recently, smooth sailing of functional beverages suffered “turbulence”. Of course, these storms are not enough to make a functional beverage overturn, but it is also sufficient for people to rationally view the “functional drinks” in various “functions”.

"Red Bull" has always been the leader of functional beverages, and Wahaha Nutrition Express is also a leader in functional drinks. Recently, Red Bull's "illegal additives" and Wowhaha's "gel incident" have made the beverage market somewhat uncomfortable. The function of the two types of functional drinks is reliable and somewhat disturbing. In addition, it is also a question mark whether people should pursue “functionality” in the end. You know, many people have or are planning to use functional drinks as a substitute for breakfast.

Questions, please expert!

Zhao Zeng, dietitian of the Xi'an Nutrition Society, pointed out that with the improvement of people's health requirements, the development of beverages is more and more in the direction of health and environmental protection, and the regular production of drinks, as long as the additives meet the specifications, can enrich our drinks. On the choice. However, when purchasing functional beverages, it is important to note that many functional beverages are health foods that are suitable for a specific group of people. The added ingredients may indeed be beneficial to the body, but they also have drawbacks. Therefore, when purchasing functional drinks, it is best to “choose seats” to identify the appropriate, taboo populations and ingredients.

[Spot] The price of functional beverages was expensive. The reporter saw several large supermarkets in Xi’an that functional beverages have become the protagonist of the beverage market, occupying a prominent position in the beverage counters. Compared with ordinary drinks, these functional drinks are not cheap, and generally 500 to 600 ml bottled functional drinks are sold at 4 to 5 yuan or even higher.

Many functional beverages are marked on the packaging with functions such as “anti-fatigue, reducing flaming gas, and improving immunity”, and some also indicate the content of active ingredients, but most of them do not indicate the appropriate population. “Functional beverages are very popular nowadays, and their types have also increased over previous years. Many famous brands have launched their own products,” a staff member said. “The weather is a little warmer and these products are selling very well.”

The reporter saw that consumers who come to buy functional beverages are mostly young people.

“Young people like these drinks very much, mainly because they think their names are nice and the bottles are also fashionable. Some office workers and mental workers prefer to buy drinks that have anti-fatigue and refreshing effects,” a staff member told reporters. In addition, it was not long ago that the time for graduating students in the high school entrance exams was that many parents paid for the children who were preparing for the exams.” Later, the reporter randomly asked several consumers and found that they did not understand how to distinguish these various beverages.

Have you bought a very expensive drink and if you have a problem with your drink, is it not a tragedy?

[Expert] Can't Blindly Seek Fashion According to the provisions of the International Beverage Industry Association, functional drinks are soft drinks that have a health-care effect. "National Standard of the People's Republic of China: Classification of Soft Drinks" does not refer to the term "functional beverages". Only the formulation of "special-purpose beverages" can adjust to the composition by adjusting the proportion of natural nutrients in drinks. The nutritional needs of special populations, including sports drinks, nutrient drinks and other special-purpose beverages 3 categories. It can be said that "functional drinks" is just the secular name of "special use beverages."

Zhao Zeng, a nutrition expert at the Xi'an Nutrition Society, told reporters that functional beverages are beverages that are adapted to the nutritional needs of certain special groups by adjusting the content of nutrients in beverages. Functional beverages are different from ordinary beverages, and consumers should purchase according to their own needs. When buying, pay attention to the product description to see which people it is suitable for. Like diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, children, the elderly, uremia patients, sedentary white collar, yin deficiency physique ... ... have their own functional drinks "forbidden zone." Therefore, when purchasing functional drinks, it is best to “choose seats” to identify the appropriate, taboo populations and ingredients.

In addition, some functional beverages may affect the digestion and absorption of food, and some also contain caffeine and other components that stimulate the central nervous system, so children and the elderly should be used with caution. Even ordinary adults, long-term consumption of functional beverages is also unhealthy for health. . Therefore, when consumers purchase beverages, they should not only consider the taste, but must not blindly pursue fashion.

[Remind] Drinks stress safety Zhao once pointed out that drinking functional beverages should be rational and the same is true for other beverages. For drinks, safety is the top priority, and nutrition is second. Although many beverages contain a certain amount of nutrients, they are, after all, processed beverages and cannot replace water. Moreover, drinking these nutritious drinks does not mean that you will be able to fully obtain the nutrients.

In terms of "safety", drinks are ranked one after the other.

1: purified water and mineral water. Pure water removes almost all the impurities in the water. It is oxygen-enriched water, which activates cells and internal organs and enhances immunity and resistance. According to the current national drinking mineral water standards in China, mineral water should not contain substances that are harmful or harmful to human health. Second, it must contain a certain amount of characteristic trace elements that are beneficial to the human body.

2: Tea and coffee. Tea can provide tea polyphenols and other antioxidant substances and certain micronutrients, with anti-cancer and anti-cancer, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, increase bone density, reduce tooth decay and dental caries and kidney stones, and coffee refreshing, refreshing effect.

3: Low-fat milk (fat content 1.5% or 1%), skim milk and soy drinks. These beverages have an important source of high-quality protein, calcium, and certain essential micronutrients that the body needs, and yoghurt also contains bacteria that are beneficial to humans.

4: Calorie-free sweet drinks. These beverages contain only water and sugar, do not contain energy elements or other nutrients, such as sugar water.

5: Beverages containing certain nutrients. Refers to pure fruit and vegetable juices, whole milk (3.25% fat), alcoholic beverages and sports drinks.

6: Caloric sweet drink. For example, carbonated beverages, which contain very high energy, contain almost no other useful nutrients.