The Dirt:
The beverage market is a huge one and we are not talking about soda and juice. Every year countless companies try their hand at making a new energy drink or an immune solution, but most rely on caffeine and sugar. The result is often a product that has at least 100 calories and as much sugar as soda. So how is Zipfizz different? The company taps unusual elements and known vitamins and minerals to create an effective line of the products that are packaged with travel in mind. As a bonus, the presence of most major vitamins and minerals indicates that the products might also double as a daily vitamin when traveling or in a bind.

The company offers Immune Fizz, Zipfizz energy drink, Liquid Shot energy drink, and Zipfizz Weight Management, which contains hoodia, nopal cactus, and Phaseolamin. Like the energy drink, the weight loss drink is a powder that mixes with water and comes in a reusable test-tube shaped plastic container.

The immune powder comes in a disposable packet and must be mixed with water. The product comes in fruit punch and tropical flavors, the latter of which we recommend. It contains 1200mg of vitamin C, 100mg of calcium, a day’s worth of vitamin D and E and folate, and 905mg of potassium. Add to that the proprietary blend, which includes l-lysine and l-glutamine, and a few fruit extracts, including Amla (Indian Gooseberry), and you have an explanation why this actually prevents colds when taken every day with a healthy diet and sufficient sleep.

As for the company’s energy offerings, the Liquid Shot varieties have a stronger dose of the proprietary blend, but they are a bit rough going down. The Passion Lemon Lime flavor isn’t bad as a quick healthy boost, which offers a pick-me-up through a blend of amino acids, electrolytes including magnesium and potassium, and caffeine from green tea and guarana. But where the liquid shot has 200mg of potassium and 531mg of the proprietary formula, three of the four powder energy drink varieties have 905mg of potassium and 317mg of the company formula. To sweeten the drinks, Zipfizz uses xylitol and sucralose, which explains how the products are all free of sugar and have less than 50 calories. Still the best thing about Zipfizz is that there is no sudden spike of energy followed by a crash. The effect of the energy drink is subtle. After consuming a glass of water mixed with the energy powder, one might think nothing has happened, but slowly the senses awaken.

Bonus:
Zipfizz President and CEO Riley Livingston told Trendcetera the company is at work improving the existing flavors and plans to add a grape flavor to the lineup.

Where:
Zipfizz is available at Costco, Sam’s Club and Target, among other retailers. A 20-pack of energy powder runs about $34.99 and a 20-pack of Immune Fizz costs about $19.99.