Kombucha is well known to have digestive health benefits. The probiotics and postbiotics naturally present in kombucha support gut health by providing good, beneficial bacteria to the gut (and crowding out the bad bacteria) and the beneficial by-products of good bacteria fermentation. While kombucha has been popular for many years, many brands are venturing outside of kombucha to create beverages that support digestive health AND provide other benefits. Better Booch is well known for their many flavors of kombucha, but recently their Cha line was created to support digestive health AND other health benefits. Their “Clarity + Peace” Tropical Green Tea (which we will be examining here), features cordyceps mushroom to promote mental clarity and peace. Let’s see if this and the other functional ingredients in here support that claim.
Brewed Organic Green Tea (Water, Organic Agave, Organic Sencha Green Tea)—Be aware of blends like this because it can place ingredients higher on the ingredient statement than they actually are. Water is self-explanatory. Organic agave is a syrup that is created from the juice of the agave plant and is 1.4-1.6 times sweeter than sugar. Sencha green tea is Japanese grown and is high in antioxidants; which reduce inflammation in the body, lower cholesterol, improve skin health, and boost the immune system.
Organic Agave Inulin—The agave tequilana plant (the same plant used to make tequila) is naturally high in inulin, a prebiotic that tastes slightly sweet. Prebiotics help feed the good bacteria in the gut, ensuring a healthy digestive system, immune system, and more.
Organic Dried Pineapple— The addition of pineapple provides flavor support as well as antioxidants, Vitamin C, and enzymes that support digestive health.
Organic Elderflower—Although part of the same elderberry plant, elderflowers have different benefits than their berry counterparts. Main benefits include respiratory support (especially against seasonal allergies) and improving the immune system.
Organic Flavors—Organic flavors are ones that are made solely with flavor components from organically grown sources. These organically grown sources can come from fruit, vegetables, spices, or plant material.
Vitamin C—An antioxidant that has been well studied to support immune, skin, heart health and more.
Citric Acid— Naturally present in citrus fruits (like lemons), citric acid makes these fruits taste sour. Commercially, it is derived from as a fermentation by-product from a strain of mold. It is non-GMO and approved for use in organic products.
Organic Cordyceps Extract—Most studied for its immune benefits with the potential of having some anti-cancer benefits. Other benefits include fighting inflammation, managing blood sugar, and improving heart health. Most of the benefits are animal or theoretical (test tube). There are few human-based studies showing its efficacy.
Organic Stevia—A natural, plant derived sweetener. The stevia plant is grown organically (does not have pesticides, radiation, or sewer sludge) and its sweet components are extracted. Stevia can be about 250-300 times sweeter than sugar.
Final Evaluation
Ingredient Quality: A. This product is organic certified, non-GMO (not certified), vegan, and kosher. Additionally, the majority of the ingredients are organic.
Ingredient Clarity: A. All ingredients are purposely added and contribute either to functionality or flavor.
Functional Benefit: B. Many of the ingredients in here have a health/functional benefit. Sencha green tea is high in antioxidants which fight inflammation and boost the immune system. Vitamin C is most known for boosting the immune system as well as many other health benefits. Cordyceps mushroom has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years and is most known for its immune boosting benefits as well as its ability to fight inflammation, aid in blood sugar management, and improve heart health. Finally, the inulin from agave is a prebiotic that supports digestive and immune health. Despite the benefits of these functional ingredients, it is unknown whether they are included in beneficial amounts. Sencha Green Tea is included at less than 2 grams per can, which is on the low end of what is typically consumed in a cup of tea. There is no amount listed for Vitamin C and the cordyceps. Although Vitamin C has a clearly defined daily value, cordyceps mushroom does not. The studies that do exist have cordyceps in the 1-3 gram range; which is much higher than what this beverage contains. The agave inulin is only included at 1 gram per can (as indicated by the amount of dietary fiber), which is very low for a digestive support claim. (In contrast, Olipop, which is the leading soda to support digestive health, has 9 grams of dietary fiber per can.) Additionally, none of these functional ingredients support the “Clarity + Peace” claim. The only ingredient that could possibly support these benefits would be the Sencha green tea, which has a high amount of caffeine and naturally occurring L-theanine. The other star ingredients—cordyceps and Vitamin C—are beneficial for the supporting the immune system, but do not have any brain support/boosting effects.
Nutritional Value: A. This product has 10 calories and only 2 grams of sugar.
Overall Score: B. It is refreshing to see a beverage that not only is low in calories/sugar but contains functional ingredients and flavoring components that are organic. The combination of organic pineapple and elderflowers (plus organic flavors) provides a tropical flavorful flavor to the beverage, as well as functional benefits. Pineapple and elderflowers support immune, digestive, and respiratory health. The addition of functional ingredients Vitamin C and cordyceps also supports the immune health claim. This beverage also has digestive health benefits by including inulin. Inulin is a prebiotic that feeds good bacteria in the gut. Despite the many benefits of the functional ingredients, none of these are included in beneficial amounts. Additionally, the “Clarity + Peace” claim listed on the can is questionable. The only ingredient that might be considered to support this claim is the Sencha Green tea, which naturally contains caffeine and L-theanine, a powerful combination that support focused energy and calm. However, the beverage does not claim a particular amount of either caffeine or L-theanine. In fact, despite being high on the ingredient statement, the Sencha green tea is included in the beverage at less than 2 grams per can. (A typical cup of tea contains 2-3 grams of tea/cup.) For an immune/digestive health beverage, this could be worthwhile to purchase, especially if the flavor was exceptionable. But for a “Clarity + Peace” (i.e. cognitive health) beverage, it is hard to justify the purchase.
Would you buy this drink? Why or why not?