Prepared Foods takes a look at new better-for-you foods, drinks and supplements introduced in June 2019.

GacLife LLC, Santa Monica, Calif., used Natural Products Expo West to introduce five daily health beverages that aid in sleep, skin health, energy, relaxation, and detoxification. Officials say GacLife took a rare superfruit, Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis), and created an all-natural, organic, vegan health drink with no added sugars.

“We developed our product line to answer consumer demand in seven functional ready-to-drink categories,” says Yin Zou, GacLife founder and CEO. “Gac Relax, for example, includes 4g of organic Kava root in each can. Kava has traditionally been used for its power to calm the body and mind, providing healthy blissful relaxation. We believe Kava offers a more effective alternative to CBD and it’s going to set us apart.” 

Gac comes in a shelf-table six-pack of 12-ounce recyclable aluminum cans. Zou say that per can, Gac has the lowest amount of added sugar (0 gm), the highest amount of antioxidant carotenoids (20 mg), and the lowest calorie count compared with other mainstream beverage products. Gac is available in retail stores in California and can be purchased online with free shipping at Amazon.com, gaclife.com for $24.00 per six-pack, or $19.20 per six-pack for a monthly subscription.

Monster Energy Co., Corona, Calif., introduced REIGN Total Body Fuel, which it describes as an “all-in-one fitness beverage incorporating natural caffeine, BCAA and electrolytes—without sugar, artificial flavors or colors.” 

The brand held a mid-April launch event in New York City’s Times Square to host hundreds of physically fit men and women for product sampling and a consumer march. Encouraging consumers to #RuleTheDay, the march was led by REIGN brand ambassadors, World’s Strongest Man and “Game of Thrones” actor Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (Thor) “The Mountain;” and Fitness Expert and former WWE Diva Star Natalie Eva Marie.

Officials say REIGN Total Body Fuel helps refuel, refresh and recover with 300mg of natural caffeine with zero sugar, zero calories and zero artificial flavors or colors. The company adds that REIGN Total Body Fuel “contains more CO Q10, BCAA’s and electrolytes than competitor products.”

Six new flavors are Razzle Berry (sweet blueberry and tart raspberry), Carnival Candy (light cotton candy), Peach Fizz (peach with hint of citrus), Lemon HDZ (sweet and tart flavors), Melon Mania, and Sour Apple. 

“Over the years, I’ve learned to push myself to the limit and then farther to achieve the goals I’ve put my mind to,” said REIGN ambassador Natalie Eva Marie. “The key to building my body and mind is to fuel it with natural foods and ingredients, like those in REIGN Total Body Fuel, that energize and inspire me pre- and post-workout.”

Soylent Nutrition, Inc., Los Angeles, the makers of Soylent drinks and powder, expanded into the nutrition bar category with Soylent Squared. Officials say Soylent Squared is the first 100-calorie mini-meal bar engineered to be complete with 5g of plant protein, 36 essential nutrients and probiotics for digestive health. 

Sold in cases of 30 bars on Soylent.com, Soylent Squared is available in three flavors: including Chocolate Brownie (pictured), Salted Caramel and Citrus Berry. Soylent Squared is available online at www.soylent.com (US) A case of Soylent Squared costs $30.00, and each case holds 30 [25g] squares.

“There are a lot of bars out there but most are high in sugar, use less sustainable animal-derived protein and often lack the nutrients that your body needs to thrive,” says Bryan Crowley, Soylent’s CEO. “We developed Soylent Squared to allow our customers to portion out the nutrition they need when they need it; you can enjoy one or two for a healthy snack or three to four for a complete meal.”

Soylent Squared follows closely on the heels of the brand’s January 2019, launch of its 11-ounce drink, Soylent Bridge, the “In-Between Meal.” 

Crowley says Soylent Squared was designed within the same guidelines as the existing Ready-to-Drink and Powder lines: a balance of macronutrients combined with 36 essential nutrients, including 26 vitamins and minerals, nine amino acids, two essential fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6. The company also decided to add probiotics to Soylent Squared to help consumers support their digestive health. With 3g of sugar, Soylent Squared also is lower in sugar than most snack bars