Functional drinks surge: Kiwis embrace gut and brain health beverages

view original post

By Nikki Birrell

NZ Herald·

2 Aug, 2025 02:00 AM5 mins to read



There’s a rise in functional drinks in New Zealand, but are they good for you? Photo / Getty Images

Gut health, mental clarity, radiant skin, better sleep. These days, the drinks fridge is starting to look more like the supplement aisle. From brain-boosting tonics to sodas that claim to soothe your digestion, so-called functional drinks are everywhere – and Kiwis are lapping them up.

But what makes a drink