Functional Elixirs

By: Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Even those with the healthiest eating habits normally can struggle to keep up their wellness-focused lifestyle while away from home. “Frequent travelers are at a higher risk of dehydration due to air travel,” says nutrition consultant Jennifer McDaniel. This makes sense when you think about constantly being on the go (whether it’s for business or pleasure), or if you’re one of those people who avoid beverages on a plane. Now, supercharged drinks and flavorful elixirs that promise everything from detoxification and an energy boost to teeth-whitening and improved digestion can help keep globetrotters on track.

Charcoal-based drinks have created a stir on Instagram, thanks to their inky color, but enthusiasts say their benefits go well beyond aesthetics. For instance, at Atlanta-based Upbeet, charcoal lemonade is made with fresh lemon juice, activated charcoal, blue agave nectar and filtered water and was created to have a health-giving purpose. It’s tart, fresh and very lightly sweet, but Upbeet CEO Erik Maier says, “Activated charcoal helps relieve bloat and remove toxins from the body,” making the drink popular with those who may have overindulged with alcohol or junk food, especially on vacation. It’s quickly become a fan favorite of the eatery, which also happens to have a fierce Instagram following. Everything in moderation, McDaniel cautions, saying, “Charcoal can also inhibit the absorption of things like vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, and we have no long-term evidence on everyday use.”

Vinegar-based drinks (particularly thanks to the powerhouse apple cider vinegar) are also having a moment. Even with purported benefits like lowering cholesterol, killing pesky bacteria, whitening teeth and making skin glow, the ultra-tart flavor can be a deterrent. Things like Olitalia Drink Vinegar, a concentrate that combines apple cider vinegar with naturally sweet balsamic vinegar and antioxidant-rich fruit, are gaining popularity. “For travelers, it’s a way of fighting colds and acid reflux after large meals, and the polyphenols can give you an energy boost,” says Brad Biederman, president of Acme Import Co., Olitalia’s importer. The concentrate comes in a resealable bottle and infused with cherry, pomegranate or blueberry. It has no added sugar and contains potassium, calcium and vitamins B2 and B3 — vitamins perfect for those constantly on the go. There’s no one way to use it, since it can be mixed with water, seltzer, as a salad dressing and even as a shrub in cocktails, though mixing with liquor could negate a bit of the supercharged and hydrating benefits.

Like anything else, it’s wise to approach superfood elixirs in moderation. “In terms of stabilizing blood sugar, vinegar has been shown to slightly reduce the rise in blood sugars after eating carbohydrates, but this effect is certainly not enough for someone with diabetes to trade in their medication or feel like they can eat more carbs as long as they drink it with vinegar,” says McDaniel, who has served as a national spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “When vinegar is combined with carbohydrate-rich foods, the vinegar appears to inhibit the complete digestion of the starch, leading to prebiotic effect. Prebiotics become food for the good bacteria in the gut supporting overall immunity and digestion.”

People seeking digestive assistance often look to kombucha, the fermented Asian tea drink that started a global trend. Kombucha is full of beneficial gut bacteria and yeast and is typically spiked with juices like ginger, raspberry and acai, each of which has nutritional benefits. “Drinks like kombucha, or ones with apple cider vinegar, are lower in calories and sugar than soda, energy drinks, sweetened teas and may provide small but modest benefits to health,” says McDaniel. Bottom line: Proper hydration is your travel game-changer.