G.O.A.T. Fuel is a family-operated business co-founded by Rice, who serves as Executive Chairman. The drink is uniquely powered by cordyceps mushrooms, which provide athletes and beverage enthusiasts alike with increased oxygen performance and a clean boost of energy. Bolstered by natural caffeine and green tea to propel consumers, as well as BCAAs and 10 essential vitamins to improve recovery, the beverage features zero sugar and zero preservatives. The end result is sustained energy enjoyed by hip-hop mogul Snoop Dogg, NFL Legend Deion Sanders, NBA rising star Tyler Herro, and many more.

“GNC is one of the world’s leading brands in sports nutrition (or health and fitness) which makes them the perfect partner for G.O.A.T Fuel,” Rice said. “I’m very passionate about what I put into my body and share the same core values and beliefs as GNC to inspire others to Live Well by consuming health-forward products like G.O.A.T Fuel. We can’t wait to bring G.O.A.T Fuel to the world and motivate our community to become the greatest of all time.”

It hits shelves this week at GNC, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based American company selling health and nutrition-related products since 1935. It has grown to encompass nearly 2,500 stores, and serves as a revered resource for athletes and health enthusiasts throughout the country.

“GNC is thrilled to partner with Jerry Rice and the G.O.A.T. Fuel team to provide our consumers with the clean boost of energy they need to reach peak performance and work towards their wellness goals. For us, it’s not just about the results of a product, it’s also about what’s inside – and we’re confident through G.O.A.T. Fuel’s unique, healthy ingredients that we’re delivering the highest standards of quality and efficacy to our consumers. G.O.A.T. Fuel aligns with our commitment to help our local communities and help people around the world Live Well,” said Josh Burris, President, GNC.

Source: G.O.A.T. Fuel

Weller’s products include a line of sparkling CBD waters, a CBD drink mix, and a line of Elderberry Sparkling Immunity beverages. We had the opportunity to sample the Elderberry Sparkling Immunity Beverages.

Elderberry is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world. Since ancient times it has been used for everything from treating infections to healing burns and improving complexions. Today, many people take elderberry as a supplement to treat cold and flu symptoms and boost the immune system.

Weller’s Elderberry Sparkling Immunity beverages have a base of freshly squeezed elderberry juice combined with sparkling water, juice concentrate, as well as monk fruit concentrate, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D3.

The beverages come in a standard 12oz can wrapped in a purple label with a colored stripe on the top indicating the flavor: lemon-lime, strawberry, or peach.

Lemon-Lime

The lemon-lime flavor has subtle, zesty citrus notes that are balanced nicely with the elderberry and carbonation. The beverage isn’t too sweet, making it easy to sip and enjoy.

Peach

The peach-flavored beverage pours out as a soft pink liquid with effervescent bubbles. The mild peach flavor combined with the elderberry is a mildly sweet treat that is not syrupy or overpowering but rather light and refreshing with a clean finish.

Strawberry

The strawberry flavor is more sweet than tart, resulting in a pleasantly soothing drinking experience. The carbonation brings a nice dimension, rounding out a delightfully satisfying but straightforward beverage.

Summary: Weller Elderberry Sparkling Immunity beverages bring a refreshing twist on an immune-boosting supplement. Packed with immune-supporting ingredients, each of these beverages is light, refreshing,  and enjoyable to drink.

For more information visit Weller’s website.

The Rhythm product line includes Rhythm Recover – Lemon Ginger Seltzer, Rhythm Awake – Grapefruit Rosemary Seltzer, and Rhythm Dream – Blackberry Lavender Seltzer. The products are packaged in 12oz sleek cans and contain 15 mg of CBD from a broad-spectrum hemp-extract that contains 0% THC, is 100% grown in the USA, and has been nano-emulsified for high bioavailability and rapid onset.

We had the opportunity to sample Rhythm Awake and Rhythm Dream.

Rhythm Awake- Grapefruit Rosemary

Rhythm Awake is designed to deliver clean, calm energy with 15mg of hemp extract combined with grapefruit and rosemary flavors and green tea extract. The beverage boasts 50mg of caffeine, which is slightly less than a cup of coffee.

The liquid is light pink in color and highly carbonated. The citrus bite of the grapefruit flavor is countered with the earthly, botanical notes of rosemary. The dynamic combination provides enough flavor to drown out the very subtle hints of hemp that come through only very slightly at the end. The finish is sweet and smooth, making it very drinkable. The tart grapefruit and effervescent bubbles make it a fun and energizing treat as an afternoon pick-me-up.

Rhythm Dream – Blackberry Lavender

Rhythm Dream has a very light berry flavor with a clean, refreshing finish. The subtle notes of lavender give this beverage a spa-like quality, and the 5mg of melatonin bring a wave of relaxation and calm that would prepare anyone for a good night’s sleep.

Summary: Rhythm Infused Seltzers provide an innovatively flavorful take on hemp-infused beverages. Light, refreshing, and creatively formulated, these drinks prove that function doesn’t have to trump taste. Rhythm Infused Seltzers are positioned to help people make room for CBD beverages in their everyday lives.

For more information visit Rhythm Infused Seltzers website.

Mother Root Ginger Switchel is a sophisticated, award-winning aperitif that’s secretly good for you.

100% all-natural, this non-alcoholic aperitif is made with four key ingredients – a maceration of pressed ginger juice, blossom honey, Organic apple cider vinegar and a hint of chilli, making it ideal for those who love revitalising drinks with a kick.

Inspired by the age-old Anglo-American “shrub-making” tradition, the switchel is a fascinating beverage originating from the 1700s, which witnessed increased popularity during the Prohibition era. Mother Root’s Ginger Switchel is a revival of these interesting flavours, that’s been given a captivating modern twist.

Originally born in a kitchen in Peckham, Mother Root Ginger Switchel was made in small batches with care by founder and drinks specialist Bethan Higson. Since its inception, Mother Root has gone from strength to strength as people discover – and fall in love with – its unique and complex flavour profile. Once you try it, this aperitif-style spritz is set to become your favourite new downtime ritual!

An uplifting and flavourful alternative to alcoholic beverages, Mother Root Ginger Switchel is best enjoyed as a pre-dinner aperitif. Serve over ice with sparkling water or a light tonic, add a slice of orange and a fragrant sprig of rosemary, and you have everything you need for a refreshing drinking experience.

Alternatively, if you fancy a tipple, you can shake up your cocktails with an infusion of Mother Root Ginger Switchel. It’s especially great paired with vodka or dark rum, providing endless options for cocktail creativity.

Founder of Mother Root, Bethan Higson, said:

“I’m a self-confessed flavour fanatic, which is what inspired me to create a non-alcoholic drink with a modern twist that’s bursting with flavour. I want to encourage people to switch off and embrace their downtime each day. With Mother Root, you can enjoy the ritual of a delicious end-of-the-day drink, with all the flavour and none of the compromise.”

Source: Mother Root

BioLift contains a patented botanical formula designed to work with your body clock to improve focus. The formula contains Guarna, Ginkgo Biloba, Elderberry, and 10mg of caffeine with carob and apple for sweetness. The result is a drink that delivers energy without the jitters or added sugar that comes with other beverages.

BioLift comes in a futuristic-looking, lightweight, 9oz aluminum bottle with a resealable screw-top lid. The product is available in three flavors; Melon Lime, Mixed Berry, and Mandarin Orange.

BioLift Mixed Berry – BioLift Mixed Berry presents an inviting berry aroma upon opening. A light, non-carbonated texture accompanies the slightly sweet flavor. There is a slight botanical aftertaste that signals the potent ingredients in the patented WakeUp formula, but it is not unpleasant. The drink has a slightly dry finish but is very easy to sip and rather enjoyable as an afternoon refreshment.

BioLift Mandarin Orange – BioLift Mandarin Orange has a subtle artificial, slightly watered down orange essence. The simplicity of the flavor makes it easy to drink and not at all too sweet.

BioLift Melon Lime – BioLife Melon Lime combines a soft, sweet melon flavor with a tart citrus finish. The blend is light and refreshing with just enough contrast and dimension to make it interesting to taste while also being easy to drink.

Summary: While BioLift beverages have a unique botanical-type taste and texture, they are light and sweet enough to easily enjoy as an afternoon pick-me-up. With only nine grams of sugar and 41 calories, BioLift beverages present a healthier alternative to sugary energy drinks while still delivering the focus and stamina to fight the post-lunch dip.

For more information visit BioLift’s website.

$250 Walmart Gift Card Giveaway December 4-18

Share a photo of you and/or your family enjoying True Lemon® Kids and be entered to win one of five $250 Walmart gift cards (plus a sampling of True Lemon® Kids products!). To enter, purchase any of the new True Lemon® Kids flavors from Walmart and share a photo of you and/or your little ones enjoying it. Five winners total, one winner will be randomly selected each day starting on December 14 through December 18 and will be notified by email.

True Lemon Kids: 92% Less Sugar Per Serving Than Juice & Soda

American children consume roughly 81 grams of sugar per day, says the American Heart Association. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that children consume no more than 30-35 grams of sugar per day.

“We believe hydration can be delicious without a lot of sugar,” said Robert Cuddihy, CEO of True Citrus. “Families have so many beverage options for their children, but few of them are low-sugar or naturally-sweetened. Hydration is the foundation of a healthy, happy lifestyle. Thanks to simpler, Non-GMO ingredients and great tasting flavors, we think True Lemon® Kids is an easy win parents can feel good about.”

Each serving of True Lemon® Kids has 2g of sugar in an 8-ounce serving, while most juices and sodas have 24g of sugar in the same 8-ounce serving. Available in Pink Lemonade, Fruit Punch, and Blue Raspberry flavors, True Lemon® Kids products are available nationwide at Walmart and at TrueLemon.com.

True Lemon Kids: Helping Kids Stay Hydrated

According to The American Journal of Public Health, half of all children aren’t adequately hydrated(3).

“It’s hard being a parent these days,” said Heidi C. Carney, Executive Vice President of Marketing for True Citrus. “We’re all dealing with so much due to COVID-19 and there’s a lot of competing advice about what’s good for our kids. True Lemon Kids can make a small part of the day easier. While plain water is the best beverage kids can drink, this is a great alternative to juice or soda — and for children who don’t like drinking plain water. It’s a delicious way to boost hydration.”

Source: True Citrus

Just Lemon

The “plain” flavor of lemon water is just that – lemon water. While the name is underwhelming, it is a pretty solid drink whose familiar taste is easy to compare. It’s similar to lemonade, but it isn’t overly sweet. It’s refreshing like water, yet it has more substance. As an adult, I would find this a great alternative to a sugary drink on a hot day and a viable replacement to sports drinks.

Dragon Fruit Mango

The creativity that was lacking in “Just Lemon” must have all gone into this flavor. Dragon Fruit is underused in the world of fruits, but its name alone makes it too cool to ignore. The taste is not unfamiliar compared to most tropical fruits, but it’s relatively mild and not overpowering. Combine it with Mango, and the sweetness serves as an excellent counterbalance to the lemon.

Raspberry Peach Lemon

The perfect summer drink? It’s possible. Its taste is similar to what many flavored teas seem to aim for, but this is a healthier option because it has no added sugar. Consider all of the health benefits on top of the taste, and it’s easy to see why this is a great option to refresh and hydrate from the day’s work.

Blueberry Acai Lemon

Similar to the dragon fruit in terms of sweetness balancing out the sour, Blueberry Acai Lemon is the sweetest of the Lemon Perfect options. It’s still far more mellow than a typical sports drink or juice and contains more antioxidizing health benefits by adding the Acai berry.

Summary: Lemon Perfect is the newest, healthiest spin on sports drinks. These lemon waters are original enough to draw attention but have a familiar enough taste to retain a share of the market.

For more information visit Lemon Perfect’s website.

creator of WakeUp Bio-waker® formula and the BioLift beverage.

Let’s start from the very beginning. How did the whole story of BioLift begin? Who inspire you to launch a beverage brand?

I grew up in a family that owned the largest CPG distribution system in Israel with over 12,000 points of sale.  From a young age, if I wanted to please my dad, I had to find more products that could put on the trucks, so I was taught to look for a customer need. The InnoBev story began in 2007, long before FoodTech or Biohacking were terms of art, while I was talking to a friend who was studying medicine at the Tel Aviv University.  He told me about a study that showed the U.S. workforce was losing $136.4 billion dollars every year due to lack of productivity.

This unproductive time was found to be a result of Post Lunch Dip syndrome, the tiredness we all feel between 1:00 to 3:00 PM imbedded in our circadian rhythm.  These same hours are also the most dangerous hours of the day for work and road accidents. At that moment it occurred to me this was a real pressing need that I felt compelled to solve.  Very naively, I called professor Giora Pilar the head of the Israeli sleep institute in the Technion and one of the world’s leading experts in chronobiology. Ten years, three clinical trials and plenty of patents later we created the initial WakeUp BioWaker® Formula that BioLift is based on.

InnoBev is not a beverage company, we are a FoodTech company specializing in the science of chronobiology and nutrition. Our goal from day one was to find a healthy natural solution for the Post Lunch Dip. The majority of our work from 2008 through today is centered on around R&D, clinical research, food engineering and acquiring patents to clinically prove and protect the IP of our WakeUp Bio-Waker® formulations.

After over a decade of clinical trials, we are proving the WakeUp formula is not only a superior “beyond caffeine” alternative but it’s completely safe. The WakeUp formula does not increase pulse or blood pressure nor build tolerance over time and it is also acceptable for people with blood pressure or heart condition and recommended for diabetics. Last year we began to collaborate with IFF on manufacturing the WakeUp ingredients and in parallel launched the BioLift beverage in New York. As a product that is designed to support and promote the WakeUp formulation it was important that other CPG, beverage and nutritional companies understand they can integrate the ingredients into existing brands without almost any change to the flavor. This is why we created the three very subtle flavors similar to flavored water. Today’s customer demands healthy natural scientific backed products with a great flavor and that is affordable.

BioLift is a functional beverage line of 3 different flavors. Can you tell us more about each? Which ingredients are the most important?

The formulation is composed of three botanicals:  ginkgo, biloba elderberry and guarana (only 10 mg caffeine) and a low glycemic carob extract. PLD usually hits at noontime, approximately six to seven hours after we wake up. During this time the physiological changes occurring in our bodies are characterized by a decrease in the oxygen in our blood accompanied by a decrease of half a degree Celsius in temperature as well as a slump in blood sugar levels. There are also some mild hormonal changes mostly involving cortisol release. The ingredients on their own don’t have any physiological effect but their combination together in one formulation is our clinically proven and patented breakthrough.

Since we are a science-oriented company, we thought about creating our proof of concept in one flavor but upon the recommendation of Beyond Brands, our New York based agency, we launched in three flavors, Mixed Berry, Melon Lime and Mandarin Orange.  In retrospect, it was excellent advice.

We also had the enormous advantage of leveraging our collaboration with IFF and using their natural flavors application lab to create the aforementioned great flavors which together with the extracts yields a mild-flavored and refreshing water taste.

It’s no secret that the process of a beverage development is long and tricky. What challenges you had to face in order to release BioLift line? Is it hard to maintain a good taste and high functionality of the beverage?

After more than 12 years working on this project, I honestly think we reinvented the term “long process”.  The greatest frustration with the project came when we completed the clinical study.  Although we had successfully developed the formulation during the customer research stage, we noticed how intent to buy dropped from over eight to below three due to the bitter overtones created by the extracts in our formulation. We literally crossed the globe to find the specific quality of extract with the required functional ingredient properties and without the dominant flavors, but the trickiest part of all was it had to be water-soluble.

BioLift is a dietary supplement created as a nootropic line. In your opinion, why more and more people are in a need of such products?

I believe people are looking for natural products that can work together with their bodies and not against it especially when managing demanding work schedules.

2020 was a hard year for everybody. What measures have you taken to decrease the impact of COVID-19 outbreak? What did you learn from this period?

We probably had the worst timing in the last century to launch our product. Our original plan was to launch BioLift at the beginning of March in New York and introduce it to companies as a refreshing beverage they could offer their employees in order to cope better with their lunch time bout of fatigue.  This is the same model we leveraged in Israel when we were working with the eBay and Google Innovation centers.  Both companies maintained a refrigerator in their kitchenette with our beverages for the benefit of the company and its employees.

Due to the virus, we had to change our strategy and swiftly pivot our focus to the retail sector whereby we launched BioLift in over 100 stores in New York while also expanding to Florida.

BioLift is available in NY state at this moment. Are you planning to hit the national market? Why?

As a young company with an innovative solution, you need always to move forward. The response to our product over the last five months in New York and Florida is encouraging and we intend to go expand sales to the national market in 2021.

Where do you see BioLift in 5 year from now?

A global brand that will expand to applications beyond drinks. As a parent feels for their child, the ultimate gratification is to see your concept grow and thrive on its own.

What advice would you have given yourself before you started out in the beverage business?

As a psychology major, I think we underestimate the emotional, spiritual, and mental consequences of being an entrepreneur and dedicating your career to finding an answer for a very specific phenomenon.  Entrepreneurs should take into account that alongside the satisfaction and enthusiasm that comes with developing a business, it is essential to surround themselves with a supportive environment to face the hurdles and the more difficult times. I don’t know of any entrepreneur or innovator that hasn’t faced such stresses.

For more information visit BioLift’s website.

“Finding a company that shares my values is key when I’m choosing to invest, and the LARQ team is very passionate and dedicated to helping the community while building an incredible business,” said Draymond Green, NBA champion athlete. “Their mission to make sustainable and healthy hydration options available globally is something I believe in strongly, especially being from the state of Michigan where clean water has been a big issue.”

“LARQ is delighted to announce the closing of our Series A round. The injection of capital along with the experience of our VC partners will help to advance our mission of bringing healthier and more sustainable hydration solutions to consumers across the world,” said Justin Wang, co-founder and CEO of LARQ. “We are delighted to have Amanda, David, and Mike join our board of directors, and can’t wait to see the positive impact we are able to create in the hydration industry with their knowledge and expertise.”

Unlike other hydration brands on the market, LARQ puts its technology and innovation at the head. It’s PureVis UV-C LED technology was in development for more than a decade before going to market, and is non-toxic and mercury-free. LARQ will continue to adapt its proprietary technology for the expansion of the brand’s product line as it breaks into the home market in 2020.

Source: LARQ

Sports drinks can be high in sugar, so the benefits often don’t outweigh the negatives. Recover 180, however, claims to have three times the electrolytes, yet only half the calories of “other leading sports drinks.” The lighter nature of the drink is mainly due to the unique plant-based ingredients like milk thistle and ginseng, which are intended to fight inflammation and flush toxins while providing the consumer with more energy.  The result is a sweeter taste without feeling overly sugary.

Blood Orange

I tried this flavor last because I’m typically not a fan of orange drinks; they always make me feel like I’m drinking a breakfast drink at the wrong time of the day. I was pleasantly surprised to find it quite enjoyable and less acidic than most orange-flavored drinks. The flavor isn’t overwhelming, and the drink doesn’t feel watered down. Not as sweet as the other two flavors, Blood Orange is a surprisingly refreshing alternative.

Citrus Flavor

I generally enjoyed this drink, but I was initially taken back by how sweet it was. A little like lemonade that didn’t quite find the right balance of powder and water, it was tasty, but it was something I was going to need some time to drink. I ended up liking it, but I’m not convinced it’s something I would want to drink right after exercise.

Acai Berry

Acai berries are a powerful antioxidant but also prove to have some decent flavor. Like the other flavors of Recover 180, Acai Berry tends to be on the sweeter side, but it feels more appropriate when drinking something berry flavored. More refreshing than the citrus, but not as flavorful as the orange, Acai Berry is a good drink for immediate recovery or something to drink in a more casual situation after a long day.

Summary: Recovery 180 provides three viable options for a hydrating and healthy sports drink. While all drinks taste good, there’s nothing particular about the taste that stands out above anything else. Recover 180 is an enjoyable sports drink whose most significant upside is the health benefits.

For more information visit Recover 180’s website.