Health Experts Caution: Not All Nutrition Drinks are Equal

ZOIC was initially available only through hospitals and health institutions, but now is being distributed to grocery, drug, convenience and mass merchant stores across the country beginning in October.

12/10/07 The nutrition beverage market is booming as people of all ages turn to nutrient enhanced drinks to help fuel a healthy lifestyle, but the benefits often may be more hyped than healthy. Health experts across the country are urging consumers to read the label and look out for hidden sugars, fat, and calories in these drinks.

Nutrient-rich beverages are gaining popularity among consumers as a convenient way to boost energy, endurance, and overall health. "Healthy people are taking heed of the recent scientific studies that recommend an innovert put gersthen increase in protein and a decrease in high carbohydrate and high sugar foods to support a healthy lifestyle," says Harvard sports physician Dr. Marcus Elliott, MD, who works with world-class athletes from the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Dr. Elliott says most adults need to concentrate on getting more high quality protein in their daily diets.

"Because the body can't store protein for future needs, as it does carbohydrates, it's important to eat protein at regular intervals. High protein snacks and nutritional  beverages can play an important role in managing a healthier lifestyle -- whether you're an elite athlete, or a casual exerciser trying to maintain your weight with smart eating and physical activity," says Dr. Elliott. "The issue is that too many people aren't aware of the pitfalls of some of the products out there. Many of the nutritional drinks on the market are loaded with hidden sugars, fat, and calories."

Dr. Elliott is part of a team of health & science professionals behind ZOIC, an advanced nutrition drink hitting store shelves across the country later this month. ZOIC -- meaning "pertaining to life" -- was created to satisfy increasing consumer demand for healthy and convenient nutritional products. ZOIC is different from most other nutritional beverages that are laden with high calories, high-fructose corn syrup, added sugars, or high fat content. ZOIC is specially formulated to provide an optimal mix of 21 grams of high-quality proteins, 26 vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and healthy dietary fiber. Each serving of ZOIC has only 110 calories, 2 net grams of carbohydrates with no sugar added, and is 99 percent fat free. ZOIC's nutrient composition makes it ideal for general nutrition, healthy weight management, and exercise and fitness regimens.

"Other nutritional beverages may not offer the complete package of nutrients and high-quality protein that ZOIC provides," adds Dr. Elliott. "ZOIC is an ideal solution for those looking to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and watch their glycemic index."

American Heart Association Certifies ZOIC

As an indicator of ZOIC's nutritional quality, the American Heart Association (AHA) has certified the product. It displays the heart-check mark because it meets the organization's criteria for saturated fat and cholesterol for healthy people over age 2. ZOIC is also qualified under the US FDA Heart Health Claim.

"With all the messages in grocery stores, from sales fliers to promotions on food packages, consumers are bombarded with information. The simple heart-check mark from the American Heart Association makes it easy for them to cut through the clutter and reliably find the nutritious foods they're looking for," said American Heart Association spokesperson, Penny Kris-Etherton, R.D., Ph.D., professor of nutrition at Pennsylvania State University.

Consumers Demand Credible Nutritional Products -- Health & Wellness Goes Mainstream

Recently, younger adults have caught on to the benefits of a quick fix for nutrition in the form of a convenient and portable ready-to-drink product. In fact, according to a recent Nutrition Business Journal report, sports nutrition and weight loss product sales increased to more than $17 billion in 2006 and are expected to grow an additional $700-$900 million per year through 2013. 

ZOIC was initially available only through hospitals and health institutions, but now is being distributed to grocery, drug, convenience and mass merchant stores across the country beginning in October. ZOIC is USDA inspected as "true to content," and is also Union Orthodox Kosher Certified -- an independent verification of quality, integrity & purity.

ZOIC was initially available only through hospitals and health institutions, but now is being distributed to grocery, drug, convenience and mass merchant stores across the country beginning in October. ZOIC is USDA inspected as "true to content," and is also Union Orthodox Kosher Certified -- an independent verification of quality, integrity & purity.