Are functional drinks just a marketing gimmick? Pay attention to the labels when choosing functional drinks
Recently, journalists discovered some middle school students selecting functional drinks in a supermarket. Upon inquiry, it was learned that some children were about to take a physical fitness test and had heard that drinking functional drinks could quickly boost their physical strength. So, what exactly are functional drinks? Can they really have such a significant effect? Relevant experts have stated that not all groups are suitable for drinking functional drinks. Since some functional drinks contain caffeine, which can stimulate the central nervous system, it is best for middle school students to avoid or limit their consumption. The market finds that the main consumer group is young people
In a large chain supermarket, journalists saw that the shelves in a corner on the second floor were filled with various functional drinks, and there were many buyers of these drinks. On-site for just 5 minutes, the journalist saw more than 10 customers choose functional drinks. The price of functional drinks is considerably higher than mineral water and purified water, which have dropped to around 1 yuan in the supermarket. They are also more expensive than carbonated drinks, juices, and tea beverages. Despite the lack of price advantage, sales are very brisk. "Functional drinks are selling quite well," a supermarket staff member told the journalist. "The main consumers are young people."
However, due to price and taste, the growth momentum of functional drinks has slowed down. Currently, the price of functional drinks on the market is basically in the 3-5 yuan range, which is far higher than the price of drinking water at around 1 yuan. Compared with carbonated drinks, juices, and tea drinks, they are also about 1 yuan more expensive.
A survey shows that for most Chinese consumers, 3 yuan is the limit for the price of a beverage. When communicating with beverage-buying consumers in the supermarket, the journalist learned that many people are attracted to functional drinks but cannot accept their high prices. In addition, a poor taste has almost become a byword for functional drinks. The main reason for the poor taste is that to achieve certain functions, functional drinks have to add ingredients like salt in appropriate amounts. "Unpalatable" has kept some consumers from becoming repeat customers of functional drinks. Journalist's investigation: Functional drinks are not for everyone
Tired and drowsy? Drink a functional drink! This is the initial understanding most consumers have of functional drinks. In recent years, a wide variety of drinks打着 "functional" flags have appeared, and a pile of concepts have been thrown at consumers: "functional factors," "electrolytes." We know that whether it's carbonated drinks, bottled water, tea drinks, fruit drinks, or dairy drinks, none have ever been discussed with the same intensity as functional drinks, with phrases like "not suitable for everyone" and "read the label before drinking." The special feature of functional drinks lies in their "special functions that meet the needs of certain special groups." Professor Wang Dusheng from the Nutrition Department of Tianjin Medical University reminds everyone: not all groups are suitable for drinking functional drinks. Since some functional drinks contain caffeine, which can stimulate the central nervous system, children, teenagers, and pregnant women should avoid or limit their consumption.
Because they are different from ordinary beverages, functional drinks are suitable for specific groups and specific conditions. Dr. Ai Hua, an expert in sports medicine, pointed out that because some functional drinks contain caffeine and other ingredients that stimulate the central nervous system, they should be used with caution by children and teenagers. Although ordinary adults can drink functional drinks without restriction, they should also pay attention to special situations. For example, sports drinks are suitable for consumption after intense exercise and heavy sweating, as the electrolytes and vitamins can quickly replenish the body's functions. However, such drinks are not suitable for consumption without exercise, as the sodium content can increase the body's burden, leading to increased cardiac load and high blood pressure. Therefore, people with high blood pressure should pay attention to their choice.
In addition, the standards for functional drinks in China are not yet complete. Only sports drinks have a national technical standard, the "Technical Requirements for Sports Drinks." Apart from that, there are no national or industry standards specifically for functional drinks. Even what constitutes a functional drink has not been explained by any national or industry standard. Industry regulators have temporarily classified functional drinks as "special purpose drinks" in China's beverage classification standard. The amount of some nutritional elements added to functional drinks is only added according to the permissible amounts specified in the "Hygienic Standard for the Use of Food Additives." Experts from the Beijing Food Industry Research Institute believe that functional foods emphasize the target population and suitable occasions, meaning the safety of functional drinks is relative. They are only safe when consumed by specific people under specific conditions; otherwise, they may be unsafe. In the Chinese market, where standards are lacking, safety has become a major obstacle to the development of functional drinks.Expert Analysis 1: Functional drinks are suitable for specific groups
From a responsible person at the China Beverage Industry Association, the journalist learned that the "National Standard of the People's Republic of China - Classification of Soft Drinks" does not have the term "functional drink," only the term "special purpose drink." The "Standard" defines "special purpose drinks" as: beverages that adjust the composition and content ratio of natural nutrients to meet the nutritional needs of certain special groups, including sports drinks, nutrient drinks, and other special purpose drinks. In fact, according to international beverage industry regulations, functional drinks are beverages with health benefits. According to relevant data on the classification of functional drinks, it is believed that broadly defined functional drinks include sports drinks, energy drinks, and other drinks with health benefits. Supplementary drinks have the targeted function of replenishing nutrients lost during exercise. Functional drinks achieve their purpose by adding various functional factors like vitamins and minerals to give them specific functions to meet the health needs of certain groups. Balance drinks are a type of healthy beverage that has been popular in developed countries like Europe, America, and Japan in recent years. They contain electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium, with a composition similar to human body fluid. After drinking, they can be quickly absorbed by the body to promptly replenish water and electrolytes (salts) lost through heavy sweating during exercise, bringing the body fluid back to a balanced state. Functional drinks are suitable for specific groups and specific conditions. Expert Analysis 2: Functional drinks cannot replace water
Some children rarely drink plain water, and whenever they are thirsty or eating, they compete to drink functional drinks. The fact that these drinks are a bit more expensive is not the main issue; the concern is what impact they might have on the child's development and health. Indeed, the wide variety of functional drinks on the market have become a favorite among children. Drinking them in moderation has no adverse effects on health, but frequent and excessive consumption, replacing congee, water, and fruit, will seriously affect their health.
Nutritionists believe that functional drinks generally have vitamins, glucose, minerals, electrolytes, lysine, and sometimes caffeine and taurine added to water. These ingredients have certain anti-fatigue effects and can supplement calcium, potassium, minerals, and electrolytes, making them more suitable for specific groups with high physical exertion and adults. Children are in a stage of development with relatively low levels of physical activity. Excessive supplementation of these ingredients can overload their self-regulatory systems, and excessive consumption can exceed the tolerance of their digestive, kidney, liver, and nervous systems. Pure fruit juice is rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C, and children can drink it in moderation. However, fruit juice has a high sugar content, and excessive consumption can lead to obesity, diarrhea, and nutritional imbalances. Functional drinks and fruit juice cannot replace congee, fruits, and vegetables, let alone water.
Water is an important nutrient for the human body to maintain normal physiological activities. Besides its own nutrients, it also plays a role in dissolving and absorbing various nutrients, expelling metabolic wastes from the body, regulating body temperature, and reducing fatigue substances (lactic acid) accumulated in muscles. It is advisable for primary and middle school students to drink 1.5 to 2 liters of water daily, with warm water being the best choice. At the same time, children should develop good eating habits of drinking congee and eating fruits and vegetables to promote healthy growth. Expert advice: Check the label when choosing functional drinks
Although there is currently no definitive evidence that functional drinks are harmful to the human body, improper consumption can also cause discomfort. How to correctly choose a functional drink that suits you is knowledge that consumers should master. Experts believe that the more common functional drinks on the market currently include green tea drinks with antioxidant effects; fruit and vegetable drinks rich in vitamins and carotene, which aid digestion and boost physical energy; plant protein drinks that provide energy and protein; and drinks with added vitamins and minerals that can replenish the body's energy.
Experts remind consumers that when choosing a functional drink, they should be clear about its purpose and buy the type they need. As for how to identify a qualified functional drink, experts point out that in the absence of specific regulations for functional drinks, only those approved by the Ministry of Health for one of the 27 health functions of health foods can be considered genuine functional drinks.
All functional drinks on the market that have been reviewed and tested have two characteristics: First, their product packaging has a grass-hat-like pattern with the words "Health Food" on it. Second, genuine functional drinks have an approval number on the packaging, written as "Wei Shi Jian Zi [×××] No. [×××]". Consumers can use this as a standard for judgment.