The beverage aisle looks very different than it did a decade ago. Today, drinks are not just meant to quench your thirst — they are designed to support your gut, calm your mind, and keep your body hydrated. Functional beverages packed with prebiotics, adaptogens, and electrolytes are everywhere, and the options keep growing. If you are curious about which ones are worth your attention, it's helpful to investigate some of the most popular choices on the market.
OLIPOP: A Prebiotic Soda Built on Plant Fiber
OLIPOP is one of the most well-known names in the functional soda space. The brand built its drinks around a proprietary formula called OLISmart, which combines botanicals, plant fibers, and prebiotics selected to support microbiome and digestive health.
The ingredients that make up this blend include cassava root, chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, nopal cactus, marshmallow root, kudzu root, acacia fiber, and guar fiber. Chicory root is one of the most researched sources of inulin, a prebiotic fiber that acts as food for beneficial bacteria in the gut, while cassava root delivers resistant dextrin — another form of prebiotic fiber.
Poppi: Soda With a Prebiotic and Apple Cider Vinegar Twist
Poppi is a prebiotic soda that has quickly earned shelf space at major retailers across the country. Every can is made with two fiber sources: cassava root fiber and agave inulin, a prebiotic extracted from the agave tequilana plant that also works as a natural sweetener. These fibers are the foundation of the brand's gut-focused identity.
Beyond the fiber, every Poppi can includes apple cider vinegar, which contributes a tangy flavor edge. The brand keeps sugar at 5 grams or less and calories at 35 or less per serving. All Poppi flavors are certified gluten-free through the Gluten-Free Certification Organization, Non-GMO Project Verified, and OU Kosher.
Recess Mood: Magnesium and Adaptogens in a Sparkling Drink
Recess Mood is a sparkling water built around two key functional ingredients: magnesium and adaptogens. Rather than focusing on gut health, the drink is designed to help people unwind and manage the stress of daily life. It comes in a wide range of flavors — including strawberry rose, raspberry lemon, tropical bliss, and blood orange — making it easy to find something that appeals to different tastes.
The brand also offers Recess Mood Powder, a three-in-one blend that combines magnesium, adaptogens, and electrolytes in a single portable stick pack. The powder can be stirred into water or any other drink, which gives it more flexibility than a canned product. Together, the Recess Mood line covers multiple goals at once — calming the mind, supporting the body's response to stress, and replenishing electrolytes — all without caffeine or alcohol.
Liquid I.V.: Electrolytes Designed for Faster Hydration
Liquid I.V. is an electrolyte powder you mix directly into water. Its flagship product, the Hydration Multiplier, is built around a specific ratio of sodium and glucose that is intended to help water and key nutrients reach the bloodstream more quickly than drinking plain water on its own.
The formula features sodium and glucose as the core active ingredients, along with five essential vitamins: C, B3, B5, B6, and B12. Sodium works with glucose to support water absorption, while potassium helps maintain proper fluid balance in the body. The product is gluten-free and non-GMO, and it is a common go-to for athletes, people recovering from illness, or anyone who wants a simple way to stay on top of their hydration during a busy day.
The Right Drink Starts With the Right Goal
There is no single best functional beverage — it depends entirely on what you are trying to support. For gut health, prebiotic sodas like OLIPOP and Poppi offer a familiar fizzy experience with added plant fiber.
For stress management, Recess blends adaptogens into a sparkling water that can be enjoyed any time without the crash that comes from caffeine or alcohol. And when hydration is the priority, Liquid I.V. delivers a fast-acting electrolyte and vitamin boost designed to go further than water alone. Knowing what each drink is built to do makes finding the right one a lot easier.