The Guardian’s taste test of functional drinks raises questions about the validity of health and beauty claims in a rapidly growing beverage segment
Executive summary: The Guardian published an article testing functional drinks that claim beauty and energy benefits, highlighting actor Gillian Anderson’s own brand and subjecting the products to a taste test. Claims about health and beauty in beverages are facing increasing consumer and regulatory scrutiny, which could affect brand trust, trigger investigations, and raise compliance costs for manufacturers.
Who is involved: The Guardian journalists, functional drink manufacturers, actor Gillian Anderson (who owns a brand), and consumers evaluating the products.
Likely next: Regulatory bodies may review the substantiation of health and beauty claims; companies may invest in clinical validation or adjust marketing; the market could see consolidation or rebranding as firms respond to heightened scrutiny.
The Guardian examined functional beverages that promise beauty benefits and extra energy, including a brand owned by actor Gillian Anderson, and subjected them to a taste test to evaluate the claims. The article highlights the growing consumer interest in functional drinks while noting that many of the advertised benefits lack robust scientific backing. This scrutiny comes amid rising market interest in functional beverages, suggesting that both regulators and consumers may demand greater evidence for health-related claims.
Timeline
- — Electrolyte lemonade to probiotic pop: do the new generation of ‘functional drinks’ live up to the hype? (The Guardian — Business)
- — Monster Energy Athletes Sweep the Podium and Claim Gold Medals on Day 2 of X Games New Orleans 2026 (PR Newswire)
- — Pascual avanza en sus planes para casi duplicar el valor de la compañía para 2030 (Expansión)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- Monster Energy athletes won gold medals in skateboard park and BMX events at X Games New Orleans 2026 on July 26, 2026.
- Pascual aims to nearly double its company value by 2030.
- The Guardian's taste test of functional drinks was published on July 26, 2026.
Sectors affected
- functional beverages
- energy drinks
- food and beverage manufacturing
Historical parallels
- Red Bull settled a U.S. class action over its "Red Bull gives you wings" claim in 2014.
- Vitaminwater settled a lawsuit over health benefit claims in 2010.
Sources
- Electrolyte lemonade to probiotic pop: do the new generation of ‘functional drinks’ live up to the hype? — The Guardian — Business
- Monster Energy Athletes Sweep the Podium and Claim Gold Medals on Day 2 of X Games New Orleans 2026 — PR Newswire
- Pascual avanza en sus planes para casi duplicar el valor de la compañía para 2030 — Expansión