Goji, acai, blueberry, mulberry, cranberry. These berries are at the forefront of a superfood trend right now. Sold fresh, dried, frozen, or mixed into ready-to-go drinks and smoothies, they are everywhere right now. The antioxidant drink business is big, with both big name companies and small start-ups getting their feet wet in it. Each company touts their own different recipe mixed up of different fruit and vegetable juices, herbal extracts and fillers. But sometimes labels can be misleading and there are some things out there that consumers should look for.

When buying an antioxidant drink at the grocery store, most people are buying it not just for the flavor but also the health benefits that come with consuming it. However, often-high priced ingredients such as goji and acai may not be the main ingredients in the drink. It is important to check the ingredient list at the back of the bottle and see what placement each ingredient has. As each ingredient is listed in order of highest concentration to lowest, the first item in the list is the main ingredient in the drink. While it may not need to be the first ingredient on the list in order for people to reap the benefit, if it is near the bottom of the list chances are that whoevers buying it may not be getting their moneys worth.

Its also important to know when buying an antioxidant drink, what if any sweeteners are being used. Many juices will use apple or grape juice to sweeten up a more tart or bitter berry juice but some companies can use things like sucralose, or aspartame to create a sweeter, lower calorie flavor. In general, it is always better to opt for either no sweetener or a more natural sweetener such as apple juice or stevia. Stevia is an all-natural zero calorie sweetener that has not been reported to have any side effects, unlike artificial sweeteners.

Back to the ingredient list for a moment, when choosing an antioxidant drink, less is often more. Meaning that the fewer ingredients that are in the drink the better. Added fructose, water, or other additives may alter the healthy properties of the drink, as well as dilute the flavor. A smaller ingredient list means that the drink can also be easy used to flavor other beverages, such as a cocktail or whiskey sour. Some people use antioxidant berry juices in their desserts, on ice cream, or as part of a marinade or as salad dressing. The possibilities are endless!

These drinks can offer great benefits. And buying them ready made can save time and help fit nutrition into a busy schedule. An antioxidant drink can be used to supplement a healthy diet and long-term benefits could include: an improved immune system, reduced inflammation, boosted energy levels, and may even improve memory. But like with anything that is purchased, it is important to read the fine print and make sure that the drink is delivering on what is promised.