Functional sparkling waters are certainly making a statement. Brands like Perfy are taking the traditional sparkling water and adding a slight amount of sweetness and infusing the beverage with functional ingredients that are in line with consumer’s health and wellness goals. Today’s New Product Friday focuses on Baloo’s Mind Boosting Sparkling Water. Taking their flavor cues from popular sparkling water brands like Aura Bora and Wildwonder, this functional soda is available in 3 different unique flavors—Lemon Ginger, Blood Orange Basil, and Grapefruit Mint. For purposes of simplicity, we will be looking at the Blood Orange Basil flavor.
Triple Filtered Water— Self explanatory
Organic Erythritol— Naturally occurring in small amounts in some fruits and vegetables, erythritol is commercially produced typically from corn. Since it is organic, the starting material (corn) would need to be organic. Erythritol is a source of carbohydrates, but it does not spike blood sugar.
Organic Flavors— At least 95% of the flavor chemicals are from organic fruits, vegetables, spices, and/or plant materials. The remaining 5% of the flavor chemicals that make up organic flavors are non-GMO and organic compliant.
Citric Acid— Naturally present in a wide range of fruits and vegetables, citric acid makes lemon, limes, and oranges taste tart. Commercially, it is produced as a fermentation by-product of mold.
L-Theanine (from Green Tea)—Naturally present in all teas, green tea has the highest amount of L-theanine. Here, the L-theanine is extracted from green tea leaves and concentrated. L-theanine has been clinically studied to promote relaxation, calm, and focus.
L-Tyrosine—An amino acid, tyrosine is produced naturally by the body. However, during stressful situations, the body’s supply of tyrosine can be depleted. Supplementation helps prevent cognitive decline and improve cognitive function during stressful situations. It also is a mood booster.
Rhodiola Rosea Extract— An adaptogen, rhodiola rosea extract has been studied to increase energy, reduces stress, and improve mood and cognitive function.
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)—Naturally produced in the brain, GABA helps regulate sleep cycles and mood; and decrease stress. There is little research on the efficacy of oral supplementation of GABA.
Stevia Leaf Extract— Sweet components from the leaves of the stevia plant are extracted and concentrated. These sweet components are between 250-300 times sweeter than sugar, but do not contain any calories nor spike blood sugar.
5-HTP—Naturally produced by the body, 5-HTP is used to regulate sleep cycles, appetite, and increase levels of serotonin (the happy hormone).
Pyridoxine HCl (Vitamin B6)— One of the 8 B-Vitamins that helps increase energy levels as well as many other biological processes. It is found in a variety of different foods, so deficiency is rare.
Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)— One of the 8 B-Vitamins that helps increase energy levels as well as many other biological processes. Vegans and vegetarians are typically deficient in it due to the lack of dietary intake.
Final Evaluation
Ingredient Quality: B. This product does not have any claims but is made with a couple of organic ingredients.
Ingredient Clarity: A. All ingredients are either functional or contribute to the flavor/sweetness of the product.
Functional Benefit: B+. This beverage contains seven different functional ingredients—more than most other functional beverages. L-Theanine, L-tyrosine, GABA, and 5-HTP are nootropics that increase cognitive function, especially under stressful conditions, and regulate mood/induce a feeling of calmness. GABA is the only nootropic here where supplementation does not necessarily provide any benefits. Additionally, it is hard to determine if these nootropics are included in beneficial amounts. L-theanine has a clinically studied dosage of between 100-200 milligrams/serving. Being the first functional ingredient on the ingredient statement, there is a high chance that it is included at a beneficial level. The effective dosage for L-tyrosine is between 500-2000 milligrams. It might be included at a beneficial level, but its placement on the ingredient statement makes this questionable. For 5-HTP, the effective dosage for mood boosting effects varies between 15-600 milligrams, with the average being at 200 milligrams. There is no way that this ingredient is included at the average amount; more than likely it is included at the lowest dosage amount. Rhodiola rosea extract is the lone adaptogen here and has been clinically studied to fight fatigue often associated with stress. Its effective dosage has been found to be as low as 50 milligrams and is probably included at this amount. Finally, Vitamins B6 and B12 are the known B Vitamins that assist with neurological function (and energy). They are included at daily values of 20% (Vitamin B12) and 30% (Vitamin B6). Considering the low daily value amounts, it is unknown why their presence is not higher.
Nutritional Value: A. This beverage is lightly sweetened but does not have any calories or sugar.
Overall Score: A-. Even though this product does not have any claims, it is made with a couple of organic ingredients and contains seven different functional ingredients. 6 out of 7 of them have proven, studied functional benefits. The only one that does not have studied benefits on supplementation is GABA. Although many studies have detailed GABA’s benefits, there have been no studies that shows that GABA supplementation is effective. The majority of this beverage contains other nootropics (L-theanine, L-tyrosine, and 5-HTP) that have been well studied to improve cognitive function and performance, especially under stressful conditions. The only downside is that it is unknown if they are included at effective amounts. Going solely by the order in the ingredient statement, L-theanine has the highest chance of being at an effective dosage, followed by L-tyrosine, 5-HTP, and Rhodiola Rosea. Vitamins B6 and B12 are included for energy and to support other neurological and cognitive functions. Although most people are not deficient in these vitamins, it is unknown why these vitamins are not included at 100% daily value, which would be more effective in supporting cognitive function and energy. The only questionable ingredient in here is organic erythritol. Although it is organic, erythritol has recently been controversial due to its role in increasing the chances of stroke and heart attack. However, at 8 grams of erythritol/serving, it is hardly at an amount that would cause concern. At $3/can, this is on the pricier side. However, with many different functional ingredients and available in unique flavors, this product would be worthwhile to try, especially if the functional ingredients prove the benefits this product claims.
Would you buy this product? Why or why not?
This product was evaluated purely based upon the perspective of a food scientist. The writer’s opinions are purely her own without influence or affiliation with the brand.