In practically every grocery store and gas station, you’ll find drink coolers packed with a colorful array of beverages. Soda, iced coffee, energy drinks, vitamin water, sports drinks with electrolytes — we have more choice than ever before.
Have you ever paused by the wall of coolers, debating which drink to buy? Did you stop to consider the drink’s color, packaging, or nutritional content? These seemingly small details subconsciously influence your decisions.
Many consumers choose a sports drink or vitamin water as an alternative to soda. These beverages in particular are popular for their electrolyte content and so-called health benefits.
But many sports drinks on the market are a lot less healthy than you think. For starters, they’re packed with added sugar and artificial ingredients.
Keep reading to discover why sugar-free sports drinks with electrolytes are better for your body. You’ll also learn why popular synthetic food dyes found in sports drinks are harmful not just for your health, but also the planet.
Your body and brain rely on glucose to function properly. But, as the old saying goes, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.
The amount of sugar in many popular sports drinks contributes to tooth decay, obesity, and high blood pressure.
Sports drinks with electrolytes replenish essential minerals lost during exercise. But their sugar content can actually hinder weight loss efforts.
Additionally, those engaging in light to moderate exercise may not need to replenish their electrolyte intake. That means, if you’re just going for a walk, you probably don’t need a sugary sports drink.
(But you do need to stay hydrated, even when you’re not exercising.)
High-intensity workouts result in significant losses of sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes. These levels must be replenished. The same is also true for glucose levels. But there’s a catch.
Added sugars found in sports drinks are effectively empty calories. They provide a quick source of energy and not much else in terms of nutritional value.
Whole, unprocessed sources of fructose and glucose are preferable to sports drinks for replenishing sugar levels. Why? Because they contain other nutrients that contribute to peak athletic performance.
What does that mean for people who still need electrolytes to power up their workout? It’s usually better to replenish glucose levels from whole foods, like fruit.
But staying hydrated while working out is also essential. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, opt for an electrolyte drink without sugar instead.
Did you know? A recent study found that bananas are more effective at reducing inflammation during a workout than sports drinks and plain water.
Yes, sugar content is a big concern. But it’s not the only thing that detracts from the alleged health “benefits” of popular sports drinks.
Food dyes are everywhere. They’re so common that we hardly give them pause when choosing a drink or snack.
Did you know? Some of the most popular synthetic food dyes are derived from petroleum. (The very same fossil fuel that powers our cars.)
The American Chemical Society states that food dyes are subject to a series of rigorous tests. This ensures no traces of crude oil remain. Additionally, the chemical structure of food dyes varies vastly from the petroleum used to make gasoline and tar.
So, no, you’re not eating gasoline. However, some people have a neurological sensitivity to the compounds in food dyes and other additives. This sensitivity is the root cause of reported behavioral problems linked to the consumption of synthetic food dye in children.
Also, extracting petroleum harms the earth and contributes to climate change. Drilling for petroleum damages crucial wildlife habitats and pollutes the air and water. It’s also a nonrenewable resource.
Here at BrightFox, we’re committed to doing our part to create a #BrighterTomorrow. That’s why we don’t use any food dyes, synthetic or otherwise, in our products. We also use aluminum packaging, the greenest packaging option available, to reduce our carbon footprint.
Our healthy, eco-friendly hydrator isn’t just sugar-free. It’s also free of sweeteners, stimulants, and artificial colorants.
The main reason why BrightFox stands out among other sports drinks is its vitamin and mineral content. (Not to mention its naturally-derived flavors.)
Every BrightFox flavor is fortified with the nutrients your body needs to achieve peak performance. Whether you’re at the gym, in the office, or on the go.
Our nutrition labels are also straightforward. One bottle is one serving size. Compare that to other options, which contain multiple servings per bottle. This makes it more difficult to calculate the nutritional content.
Take a look at what’s inside each can:
We’ve covered the full range of health benefits of each ingredient in the posts linked above. They all add up to promote muscle and neurological function, as well as optimize protein absorption.
As we’ve seen, sugar content isn’t the only cause for concern when it comes to sports drinks with electrolytes. Other hidden ingredients, like food dyes, can also be unhealthy.
While sweeteners are widely considered a better choice, they’re also not the best option for people with diabetes. (Who are advised to limit their intake.) Researchers are still investigating the full effects of popular artificial sweeteners on the body.
Although consumers have more choice, most of those choices contain high levels of sugar, sweeteners, and stimulants. With all the options available, it can be easy to grab a drink without a second thought.
But, thanks to the wealth of information out there, people are re-evaluating their choices. They’re learning about the ingredients in their food to make more informed decisions.
We wanted to create an electrolyte drink without sugar that truly is healthy. And thus, BrightFox was born. Water, nutrients, and natural flavoring are the only ingredients you’ll find in our three delectable flavors.
BrightFox isn’t just for athletes. It’s for everyone. Learn more about why BrightFox is the ultimate hydration companion morning, noon, and night.
]]>Reducing waste and plastic consumption to combat climate change is truly the task of the century. A seemingly small part of that involves evaluating our lifestyle choices. Plastic, glass, aluminum — which material is the most eco-friendly?
Although the answer isn’t quite straightforward, one material stands out: aluminum. Keep reading to learn how this lightweight metal has the potential to transform the food and beverage industry and cut carbon emissions in the process.
Production, transport, weight, degradability, recyclability — when discussing a material’s sustainability, one must consider an array of factors. This complicated web makes it difficult to assess the true carbon footprint of the materials we use to package everything from food to cosmetics.
Producing aluminum cans is more carbon-intensive than plastic bottles at the production level. However, while producing brand-new aluminum results in more emissions upfront compared to plastic bottles, other factors simultaneously reduce its carbon footprint, making it a more sustainable choice.
Aluminum is lighter than plastic and glass, maximizing space during transport to reduce fuel use and make the process more efficient. Because aluminum reflects light, the liquids inside last longer and cool quicker, boosting their shelf life significantly. This also prevents aluminum from breaking down and releasing harmful chemicals into the beverage and makes them more resistant to tampering.
Another reason why aluminum is more sustainable than plastic is it takes much less time to degrade. Aluminum will start to break down after 80 years. This might seem like a long time, but when compared to plastic, which takes anywhere from 450 to 1,000 years to degrade in a landfill environment, the more sustainable choice is clear.
Metal is also much stronger than plastic. One reason why aluminum is the preferred choice for packaging carbonated drinks is because it’s durable enough to withstand the pressure of carbonation.
Aluminum outpaces both plastic and glass as the most recycled material in the world, with a 50% global recycling rate as of 2019. Aluminum cans typically contain 70% more recycled content than plastic, consisting of as much as 73% recycled material.
Shockingly, less than 10% of the world’s plastic is recycled, which means the remaining 90% ends up in the ocean or landfill. Of the 50 billion plastic bottles discarded annually, less than a third are recycled. Compare that to a single BrightFox can, which recycles a staggering 400 plastic bottles.
Recycling aluminum is much less energy-intensive compared to plastic. The amount of recycled material that goes into creating new cans saves up to 92% of the natural resources needed to manufacture and transport brand-new aluminum. Just like glass, aluminum can also be recycled infinitely, without losing any of its original quality. Let’s not forget that aluminum is lightweight and easier to transport, which also reduces emissions.
The recyclability of single-use plastic bottles, on the other hand, falls far behind aluminum. A plastic bottle can only be recycled into another bottle one time before the flimsy materials start to break down. Those fibers are downcycled into clothing and other lesser-quality products.
The biggest payoff of recycling aluminum is a literal one — that is, some recycling facilities pay for recycled aluminum through a deposit scheme. Prices vary, but some facilities will pay as much as 70 cents for a pound of aluminum.
Go to pretty much any park, beach, or public pool, and you’ll probably find that the same rule applies at all of them: no glass bottles. This is fair enough — glass breaks and can cause serious injury. But it also makes it difficult to enjoy our favorite mixed drinks poolside. Plastic bottles are portable and lightweight, sure. But because plastic heats up so quickly (and releases a concoction of harmful chemicals when exposed to sunlight), it’s not the best choice for hauling your cocktails down to the beach.
Beverages packaged in plastic and glass face another accessibility problem: selling them is now banned at college campuses, public places, and even entire cities across the country. In February 2020, New York City became one of the first in the country to ban the sale of plastic bottles at city-owned properties. This equates to roughly one million bottles removed from the supply chain. That might seem insignificant, but it’s a small step toward a brighter future, and other cities are sure to follow suit soon.
One of the major qualms people have with aluminum cans is the pull tab. Once opened, cans with pull tabs can’t be resealed for later. BrightFox’s lightweight aluminum cans come with a resealable screw top, making it easy to sip, reseal, and slip into your backpack or cooler.
Plus, what’s inside the can is just as thoughtfully designed as what’s on the outside. Chock full of vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes — with none of the sugar, sweeteners, or artificial additives found in the most popular mixers — BrightFox is the smarter way to sip. Stay hydrated and replenished while indulging in your favorite spirits, concentrating on an important project at work, or testing your endurance on a backcountry hike.
Some might argue that manufacturing and recycling aluminum are energy-intensive processes in themselves, and they’d be right. But creating packaging that’s sustainable at every single rung on the supply chain is nigh on impossible without a major overhaul of our energy and transport systems. Until that infrastructure is made available, we’re doing all we can to make the best choices using the methods and materials at our disposal right now.
So far, the evidence we’ve covered doesn’t take consumer choice into account. As concern over the consequences of climate change continues to grow, so too does plastic’s bad reputation among consumers.
These are just a few reasons why BrightFox chose aluminum packaging to maintain our commitment to eco-friendly, healthy hydration for a better, brighter tomorrow.
Sodium is an electrolyte and an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet. Type the word “sodium” into any search engine and you’ll be bombarded with a slew of articles warning of the dangers of consuming too much. While it’s true that high levels of sodium increase the risk of heart disease and contribute the buildup of plaque in the arteries, your body also needs sodium to function properly.
Frankly, some advice out there isn’t just fearmongering — it’s downright inaccurate. If you don’t get enough sodium in your diet, you could suffer some serious consequences. A lot of guidance on sodium only considers unhealthy sources, like fried foods and highly processed snacks. Let’s take a closer look at what sodium does for your body, how it influences your lifestyle, and how much you should consume to look and feel your best.
Sodium is a key part of the biological process that determines how much water your body retains. It also helps regulate your blood pressure levels.
Sodium is an electrolyte. These charged minerals facilitate nerve function and muscle movement and aid in nutrient absorption. As you work out, your body loses electrolytes through sweat, which inhibits your performance and can lead to muscle cramps and spasms. Replenishing your electrolytes, including sodium, will keep you in top form so you can set a new personal best.
There’s a lot of conflicting information out there regarding sodium, both in blog articles and even in scientific journals. Why? Largely because we’re still investigating sodium’s effects on the body. (Not to mention political bias and an array of other factors.) Let’s dive into some of the myths surrounding sodium.
One of the main myths about sodium is that increased sodium intake also increases your risk of heart disease. This one is somewhat complicated. It’s true that sodium overconsumption is linked with high blood pressure — but so is sodium underconsumption. So yes, that means that getting too little sodium in your diet also increases your risk of developing high blood pressure, thereby increasing the risk of heart disease. Sodium deficiency increases the production of an enzyme called renin. The primary function of this enzyme is to increase your blood pressure levels.
A summary of a major meta-analysis of studies on salt and heart disease risk featured in Scientific American acknowledged that “the correlation between salt intake and poor health has remained tenuous.” In simple terms, there’s not enough evidence to prove a correlation between high sodium consumption and heart disease risk. Indeed, many studies cited in that article found the exact opposite conclusion — some populations that consumed higher amounts of salt (as much as 14 g a day) actually had lower blood pressure on average.
Additionally, it’s important to take into account other factors in fatty, high-sodium foods that contribute to high blood pressure. Many fast food items are chock full of saturated fats, which raise cholesterol levels. Persistent high cholesterol also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. In other words, sodium isn’t the sole culprit.
How much sodium should you consume? This is one of the most controversial topics in the realm of nutrition. Some sources say as little as 1,500 mg a day, while others advocate for as much as 6,000 mg a day. What’s the answer? That depends on a number of highly individual factors.
Some people are highly sensitive to salt, a phenomenon that increases with age. Conversely, some elderly people are at a greater risk of sodium deficiency. Meanwhile, sodium needs are higher for athletes as well as those who consume alcohol regularly. You lose sodium through urine and sweat while working out and drinking your favorite alcoholic beverages. Staying hydrated while also replenishing those lost electrolytes is key for achieving peak athletic performance as well as preventing hangover. Breastfeeding and menstruating women, as well as people living in tropical climates, also have higher sodium needs.
BrightFox contains a healthy, hydrating boost of sodium — 80 mg, to be exact — and none of the added sugars or artificial ingredients found in other sports drinks. That’s in addition to a nutritious package of essential vitamins and minerals, including potassium, zinc, and choline. These immune-boosting nutrients supercharge your workout by replenishing vital electrolytes, boosting your energy levels, and sharpening your focus.
As we briefly discussed earlier, sodium deficiency leads to the production of the enzyme renin, which is directly responsible for raising your blood pressure. That means that too little sodium increases your risk of heart disease.
It’s hard to know what’s true and what’s not when it comes to sodium, but the key takeaway is that an extra sprinkle of salt here and there to a balanced diet of whole foods isn’t harmful. In fact, your body needs sodium for optimal performance. Much of the nutrition advice out there concentrates too much on sodium, painting it as the lone contributor to heart disease while ignoring other factors.
Another often overlooked point is potassium intake. Potassium flushes excess sodium from the system, and most Americans don’t receive adequate amounts of potassium in their diet. Too little potassium paired with too much sodium creates an imbalance that has the potential to harm your overall health. BrightFox provides both potassium and sodium, as well as a mix of other vitamins and minerals, helping you maintain the balance.
At the end of the day, sodium itself isn’t the enemy. The problems lies in the types of foods consumed. Highly processed foods contain far more serious health dangers than just their sodium content, like artificial ingredients, added sugars, saturated fats, and more.
One of the three most abundant minerals in our bodies, potassium conducts the electricity needed to power an array of biological processes. From balancing fluid levels and slowing your heart rate to activating nerve impulses and controlling cell function, potassium is an essential electrolyte for good health. Here’s how potassium works to boost your energy and endurance levels, optimize your workouts, and reduce your risk of life-threatening diseases.
Potassium is an essential component of any healthy diet, especially for those diagnosed with high blood pressure. Potassium aids in the dilation of your blood vessels, optimizing blood flow and decreases blood pressure to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. When your potassium levels are too low, your blood vessels contract, also known as vasoconstriction. Narrower blood vessels make it more difficult for blood to flow to essential organs.
Potassium and sodium work together to maintain good heart and bone health. The higher the level of potassium in the blood, the more sodium eliminated through urine. Think of this partnership as a checks-and-balances system. And one of the reasons why sodium is considered a health risk is because the average American doesn’t get enough potassium in their diet. The key to good heart health is balancing your potassium and sodium levels. (But that’s enough about sodium — we’ve covered that in more detail in another article.)
Studies show that potassium-rich diets significantly lower the risk of stroke by regulating blood pressure. Some evidence also suggests that low potassium and high glucose levels are correlated, and that adequate potassium intake therefore reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
While calcium often receives the credit for strengthening bones, potassium also increases bone density. Potassium is also thought to help bones retain calcium.
Studies show that adequate potassium intake may prevent type 2 diabetes. Potassium deficiency is thought to increase blood sugar levels, which leads to insulin resistance. When this occurs, cells don’t process insulin normally, causing glucose to build up in the cells.
In simpler terms, potassium helps create the vital proteins that keep cells, tissues, and organs functioning properly. It also helps the body turn carbohydrates into energy.
Electrolytes power your body’s vital functions. But how does that translate into your everyday life?
Inadequate potassium intake results in fatigue, as well as muscle pain and weakness. A breakfast containing potassium-rich fruits, enjoyed with your favorite BrightFox flavor, can give you the boost you need to start your morning or finish your workday strong.
Potassium conducts electricity, promotes proper nerve function, and breaks down the glycogen in muscle cells, making it an essential component of your workout routine. Studies show that adequate potassium levels enhance endurance, stave off fatigue, and reduce the risk of muscle cramps.
Potassium is lost through sweat, urine, and processes in the digestive tract, which means you’ll need to replenish your potassium levels throughout the course of your workout for optimal performance.
The optimal levels of potassium vary based on what you’re doing, how old you are, whether you have pre-existing conditions, and a number of other factors. Dietary habits also impact potassium needs. Indeed, even the recommended amounts of potassium vary across health institutes by as much as 2,000 mg. More often than not, it’s safe to say the more potassium, the better, especially considering that most Americans don’t get enough potassium. (We’ll discuss that in more detail later in this article.)
When most people hear the word “potassium,” they probably envision bananas. And while bananas are known for being potassium-rich, many other fruits also contain high levels of potassium. Other potassium-rich foods include starchy vegetables, lentils, beans, lean meats, and dairy products.
BrightFox also contains a healthy, hydrating dose of potassium — 84 milligrams, to be exact (the equivalent of roughly half of a banana) — in addition to an abundance of other vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes your body needs to function optimally.
People diagnosed with inflammatory bowel diseases and those taking certain medications may be at risk for potassium deficiency. Inflammation of the bowels inhibits the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, including potassium. Those diagnosed with such conditions, including Crohn’s disease, may benefit from potassium supplementation.
Potassium deficiency causes a range of health problems, including kidney stones and the depletion of calcium in the bones. Fortunately, serious symptoms associated with potassium deficiency are rare.
Because excess amounts of potassium pass through the urine, overconsumption is highly unlikely in people with healthy kidneys. People with certain kidney disorders have an increased risk of developing high potassium levels.
A complex electrolyte that fuels many of our body’s vital functions, potassium is essential for energy and endurance. Because it regulates everything from blood sugar to blood pressure, consuming adequate amounts of potassium is essential for good heart and bone health. Unfortunately, the majority of us don’t get enough potassium. But the good news is, potassium is readily available in many fruits, vegetables, and premium hydration beverages like BrightFox.
Just like other B-complex vitamins, pantothenic acid, more commonly known as vitamin B5, metabolizes food and maintains healthy organs. But its health benefits certainly don’t stop there.
The term “pantothenic” derives partly from the Greek word for “everywhere” — an apt name for a vitamin that’s so abundant in our diets. However, our bodies don’t store vitamin B5, so we must restore our B5 levels daily through our diets. Let’s take a closer look at how vitamin B5 promotes good health from the inside out.
Vitamin B5 is a key player in your body’s metabolic processes, which convert food into energy, fatty acids, and cholesterol. Vitamin B5 also helps the body process other B-complex vitamins.
Vitamin B5 is a common ingredient in makeup, moisturizer, and hair care products. Many skincare products contain vitamin B5 to treat a number of conditions, from eczema to acne.
Red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body and eliminate carbon dioxide. Some research suggests that vitamin B5 can help lower cholesterol levels.
Vitamin B5 aids the synthesis of coenzyme A, which the liver relies on to process toxins and drugs. This coenzyme also helps transmit messages in our cells, synthesizes fatty acids, and plays a role in our body’s response to stress.
Just like every other vitamin, B5 promotes good health and aids in vital biological functions. But how do those functions influence your everyday life? In short, vitamin B5 keeps you looking and feeling good. Here’s how.
There’s a reason why vitamin B5 is so common in skincare and hair care products. Its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its ability to lock in moisture, make it an essential part of any skincare routine. Vitamin B5 is especially important for your hair — as well as preventing hair loss by keeping follicles strong and moisturized, B5 also protects those luscious locks from heat damage.
As we’ve already seen, vitamin B5 is necessary for synthesizing coenzyme A, which works with other nutrients to produce cortisol and other stress hormones. Cortisol triggers your body’s “flight-or-fight” response in times of stress. The cortisol balance is a delicate one — not enough cortisol causes an inability to respond to stress properly, while too much cortisol causes poor sleep quality, weight gain, and mood swings over time.
Although research into vitamin B5’s stress-relieving properties is still ongoing, it’s thought that vitamin B5 can help regulate cortisol production and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Aside from mental health problems and skin conditions, people take vitamin B5 supplements to treat an array of health problems, from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis to obesity and alcoholism. The list of potential treatments is truly a long one, although it’s important to note that more research is needed to confirm its efficacy.
The amount of vitamin B5 you need differs depending on several factors, including your age, biological sex, and whether or not you have any pre-existing conditions that increase your risk of deficiency. The maximum recommended daily amount is 7 mg, but studies show that taking as much as 200 mg causes no ill effects. And because your vitamin B5 levels must be replenished daily, overconsumption is highly unlikely.
It might be easier to compile a list of foods that aren’t rich in vitamin B5. This nutrient is present in practically all the foods we eat, including whole grains, starchy vegetables, meat, dairy, beans, and lentils.
A balanced and varied diet, enjoyed with your favorite BrightFox flavors, provides all the vitamin B5 your body needs to stay healthy. BrightFox also contains a blend of other vitamins to keep you looking and feeling your best, whether you’re lifting weights at the gym, working on an important project, or celebrating the end of a long week with your favorite mixed drink.
People who consume heavy amounts of alcohol, take oral forms of birth control, or suffer from digestive disorders have a higher risk of vitamin B5 deficiency. Elderly people also have lower levels of vitamin B5. The good news is, supplementation quickly reverses any symptoms associated with deficiency.
Vitamin B5 deficiency is extremely rare since it’s readily available in most of the foods and beverages we consume. People with a vitamin B5 deficiency often don’t present any symptoms at all. Nausea, fatigue, and irritability are among the effects of vitamin B5 deficiency, but studies show increasing vitamin B5 intake relieves symptoms.
Vitamin B5 is water-soluble, which means it dissolves in water. Our bodies also use it up quickly, without storing it. Consuming too much vitamin B5 requires heavy supplementation and is therefore rare. Symptoms associated with overconsumption are also mild and should disappear quickly.
From glowing skin and glossy hair to regulating mood and treating diseases, vitamin B5 keeps you healthy from the outside in. Researchers are still investigating the full extent of vitamin B5’s health benefits. As scientists continue to discover new ways this vitamin might treat a range of illnesses, the list of its advantages is sure to keep on growing.
Even though vitamin B5 is prevalent in our diets already, everyone could use a boost now and then. BrightFox gives your body a healthy, hydrating dose of essential nutrients, including vitamin B5 as well as other B-complex vitamins, to keep you going morning, noon, and night.
Of all the B-complex vitamins, B6 is perhaps one of the most well-known. This essential vitamin is a critical component in dozens of biological processes, from brain and heart health to mood regulation and sleep quality. Let’s take a look at the many health benefits of vitamin B6 and how it works to keep you focused, boost your mood, and help you sleep.
It’s practically impossible to cover all the health benefits of vitamin B6 in a short article, since it plays such a vital role in our wellbeing. Here are just a few ways vitamin B6 impacts your health.
Vitamin B6 aids in the production of serotonin. Nicknamed one of the body’s “happiness hormones,” serotonin boosts happiness, confidence, and overall emotional balance. Serotonin also plays a role in muscle movement and producing melatonin, which regulates our sleep cycles. (More on that later.) B6 also produces norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that influences concentration, mood, and the body’s response to stress.
Studies show that vitamin B6 improves cognitive performance and increases concentration. In the brain, vitamin B6 is involved in the activation of neurons, also called neurotransmission. Vitamin B6 also manages the body’s levels of homocysteine, an amino acid. High levels of homocysteine are linked to heart disease.
Breaking down carbs, fats, and proteins into energy is just one of the 100+ biological processes vitamin B6 is involved in. A few others include maintaining healthy skin, producing red blood cells, and protecting your body from the effects of air pollution.
Research suggests vitamin B6 supplements, rather than intake from food alone, could potentially prevent serious illnesses like cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and age-related macular degeneration of the eyes. People with rheumatoid arthritis may also benefit from B6 supplements. Research in this field is still ongoing, but promising.
Several studies found that vitamin B6 supplements alleviate symptoms associated with PMS and pregnancy. These include mood swings, anxiety, fatigue, and nausea respectively. Adequate vitamin B6 intake is particularly important for pregnant women and babies to support brain development.
Yes, vitamin B6 keeps your body functioning optimally. It’s safe to say you already knew that. But how do all those functions work to influence your daily lifestyle? Let’s take a look.
Vitamin B6 directly impacts our brain-power, giving us the energy and alertness we need to perform complex tasks. Persistent fatigue or simply feeling sluggish might be signs that you need a healthy dose of vitamin B6.
Instead of brewing another pot of coffee when the mid-day slump hits, why not hydrate and replenish the smart way with BrightFox? All three delicious flavors are packed with 0.6 mg of vitamin B6, in addition to other essential vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes, helping you start and finish the day strong.
When you’re stressed, depressed, or worried, your sleep quality suffers big time. As we’ve already seen, vitamin B6 helps produce serotonin, which in turn produces melatonin. The “sleep hormone” activates our natural circadian rhythm, and high levels of melatonin help us fall asleep faster. This is especially important for people with depression, many of whom struggle with insomnia and fitful sleep. Some studies also suggest that vitamin B6 increases the likelihood of remembering your dreams.
If you’re struggling to sleep, think twice about reaching for a melatonin supplement. Not only are most synthetic melatonin supplements not FDA-approved, but research shows they have little to no effect on sleep quality. Instead, get a healthy dose of vitamin B6 to kickstart your body’s natural melatonin production processes and wake up feeling refreshed. With zero sugar, caffeine, or artificial additives, BrightFox contains a hydrating dose of B6, other B-complex vitamins, and minerals, making it a healthy, tasty way to boost your nutrient intake morning, noon, and night.
Pinpointing a specific milligram amount of recommended vitamin B6 intake is tricky. This water-soluble vitamin is a key player in an array of metabolic processes, which means your needs fluctuate. Pregnant women and people with high protein intake typically need more vitamin B6 than the average person. It’s also important to note that some recommended daily intakes group all B-complex vitamins together, making it even more difficult to assess how much you need.
Lean white meats, like turkey and chicken, as well as wild-caught seafood, non-citrus fruits, and starchy vegetables are rich in vitamin B6. Other sources include chickpeas and fortified cereals. When enjoyed as part of a balanced, varied diet, BrightFox can help ensure you get the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you need to look, feel, and perform your best.
Vitamin B6 deficiency is rare. Mild cases of vitamin B6 deficiency usually don’t present symptoms. More severe vitamin B6 deficiency may result in depression, a weakened immune system, and certain skin conditions, among other symptoms.
People with kidney diseases, autoimmune disorders, and those taking certain medications are at risk of deficiency. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as elderly people, may benefit from B6 supplements to promote fetal brain development and boost cognitive function.
Consuming too much vitamin B6 from food is equally as rare as developing a deficiency. Serious effects of overconsumption, which are fortunately reversible, have only been observed in people taking dietary B6 supplements for a long period of time.
A key part of our overall wellbeing, vitamin B6 might well be considered the “feel-good vitamin.” Its role in the production of serotonin and norepinephrine affects everything from mood to sleep, not to mention the vital role it plays in brain and heart health. Although we’ve discovered so many of its health benefits, its long list of advantages will only keep growing as researchers uncover its role in preventing major diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.
The second most abundant mineral in our bodies, zinc is vital for humans and animals to stay healthy. Our bodies don’t make zinc (or any other mineral, for that matter), so we have to get it from our diet. Let’s take a closer look at how zinc powers your body from the start of a productive morning to the end of a sensational night out.
Boosts your immune system and metabolism. Zinc plays a key role in the production of white blood cells, which fight off all sorts of infections from the common cold to cancer. Zinc also aids in the production of hormones that regulate metabolism.
Improves cognitive function. Zinc deficiency is directly linked to neurodegenerative diseases, such as depression and Alzheimer’s. Zinc also aids a process called hippocampal neurogenesis, which forms neurons in the part of the brain responsible for learning, memory, and mood regulation.
Aids muscle growth to make workouts more effective. Zinc promotes muscle growth and protein synthesis, which determines how much of the protein you consume becomes part of your muscles.
Helps heal injuries and assists in recovery. From reducing blood loss and inflammation to repairing nerve cells and tissue, zinc is a critical component of your body’s ability to repair itself after injury.
Flushes alcohol and toxins from your body. Consumption of alcohol and other popular beverages results in low zinc levels, which damage cells and worsen the effects of aging. Adequate zinc intake reduces alcohol toxicity and reverses negative cognitive effects resulting from heavy drinking.
This just scratches the surface of the benefits of zinc, all of which combine to combat the effects of aging.
Zinc keeps your body healthy, like all essential minerals. Let’s take a look at how those health benefits directly influence your active lifestyle:
While you’re asleep, your body relies on stored glycogen to function. Eating a breakfast that’s rich in vitamins and minerals is essential to restore energy lost during sleep. Zinc improves cognitive function and optimizes metabolism, helping you kickstart a productive day.
Zinc is a miracle mineral for bodybuilders, athletes, yogis, and exercise enthusiasts of all kinds. Tissue repair, healthy blood supply, better sleep quality — these are just a few of the benefits of a zinc-rich diet.
You sweat out electrolytes and essential minerals, including zinc, during a vigorous workout. BrightFox revitalizes your workout and replenishes lost nutrients with a healthy, hydrating boost of zinc, vitamins, and three times the electrolytes of popular sports drinks.
What better way to de-stress after a long week than a night out on the town with your friends and your favorite mixed drink? We probably don’t have to tell you that sugary mixers loaded with artificial ingredients are dehydrating, making you feel sluggish, bloated, and hungover.
One reason for that is decreased zinc levels, a direct result of consuming alcohol. Zinc eliminates alcohol from your body and soothes nausea. Packed with zinc and all the other nutrients your body needs for a great night out (and morning after), BrightFox lets you drink better, dance better, sleep better, and wake better.
Of course, there’s no such thing as a hangover cure — instead, BrightFox is preventative. And an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the old saying goes. (Not a fan of spirits? Roll solo with your favorite BrightFox flavor and dance the night away.)
That depends. Your nutritional needs fluctuate when you stress your body by drinking, working out, and even flying. Your zinc intake also varies based on your biological sex, age, location, and other factors.
This makes it difficult to determine exactly how much zinc you need each day. BrightFox contains 0.2 mg of zinc, which provides a healthy, hydrating boost to a balanced, nutrient-rich diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.
Vitamin E is found in a variety of naturally occurring foods, including fruit, nuts, sunflower seeds, and vegetable oils. A range of skincare and hair care products also contain vitamin E. These include moisturizers, makeup, acne treatments, shampoo, and conditioner, among others. However, vitamin E in cosmetic products doesn’t count toward your daily recommended allowance.
When enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, BrightFox provides a healthy, hydrating boost of vitamin E to keep your skin, hair, and immune system in top condition. An assortment of other vital vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes — with zero sugar, sweeteners, or artificial ingredients — make BrightFox the perfect companion to your active lifestyle.
Lean meat is the main source of zinc for many, but whole grains, dairy products, and beans also contain moderate levels of zinc. BrightFox also boosts your zinc intake without the added sugar and artificial flavoring found in many popular sports drinks.
Vegetarians, elderly people, and those who consume alcohol might need more zinc than the average person.
Zinc is most abundant in lean meats, including seafood, beef, and dark-meat chicken. Vegetarians get most of their zinc from beans and whole grains. Unfortunately, while these foods are nutritious, they lack the compounds needed for zinc absorption. Supplements and nutritional drinks, like BrightFox, help increase zinc intake for vegetarians.
As the body ages, its ability to absorb zinc decreases, which leads to a weakened immune system and slower wound healing. Studies show zinc supplementation improves these effects, as well as the overall quality of life of people over the age of 75.
When it comes to zinc, those who like to drink face a double whammy. Alcohol affects the body’s ability to absorb zinc and increases the amount of zinc passed through urine. When used as a mixer, BrightFox replenishes your zinc and vitamin levels as you drink, helping to prevent fatigue and hangovers.
Although zinc deficiency can cause a number of health problems, the good news is, serious zinc deficiency is rare in most developed countries.
While it’s possible to have too much of a good thing, zinc overconsumption is highly unlikely. Some naturally occurring foods contain as much as 500% of your daily recommended intake of zinc, but no cases of zinc poisoning have ever been observed from diet alone.
Zinc mitigates the effects of aging, keeps your brain and muscles strong and healthy, and flushes out toxins. A nutritious diet rich in zinc, other minerals, essential vitamins, and electrolytes nurtures your active lifestyle by supercharging your morning routine, powering up your workout, and fueling your electrifying nights out with friends.
Praised as a cure for everything from brittle hair to acne, vitamin E is a common ingredient in an array of whole foods and skincare products. This fat-soluble vitamin works wonders for keeping your skin glowing, your hair luscious. But the benefits of this vitamin extend far beyond the cosmetic to keep you beautiful and healthy from the outside in. Keep reading to discover the many benefits of vitamin E.
Protects cells from damage. Vitamin E mitigates damage from UV rays and free radicals, helping cells live longer and reducing the effects of aging.
Boosts the immune system. Vitamin E fends off viruses and other foreign bodies, optimizing your immune system. It also plays a role in transmitting messages between cells, ensuring biological functions run smoothly.
Improves the condition of skin and hair. Vitamin E is most well-known for its cosmetic benefits. While some of them aren’t yet corroborated by science, many people swear by vitamin E as an acne treatment. It’s also thought to treat other skin conditions, such as psoriasis, in addition to promoting hair growth, preventing hair loss, and keeping hair glossy.
Promotes good heart health. Vitamin E’s benefits extend far beyond the cosmetic. It also dilates the arteries to allow optimal blood flow, which also helps prevent blood clots.
When we look good, we feel good — and vitamin E can help us do both. Here are just a few ways vitamin E’s role in biological processes influences your everyday life.
Keeps you looking your best
Both food and cosmetic products containing vitamin E support healthy hair and skin. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, vitamin E fortifies the hair follicles against damaging free radicals and stimulates hair growth. Vitamin E is also a key ingredient in moisturizer, anti-aging cream, sunscreen, and other topical products which also reduce the likelihood of scarring.
A balanced diet enjoyed with your favorite BrightFox flavors can help you put your best face forward. BrightFox is chock full of vitamin E, as well as other essential vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes to keep you looking and feeling good.
What are free radicals? We’ll spare you the full-fledged chemistry lesson — simply put, free radicals are unstable, highly reactive atoms that damage cells, contributing to signs of aging and disease. This process is known as oxidative stress. Free radicals are abundant in the world, from air pollution and cigarette smoke to UV rays and fried foods.
Antioxidants such as vitamin E are thought to prevent signs of aging, like wrinkles and gray hair, as well as life-threatening diseases like cancer and heart disease. It’s important to note that research on free radicals is still underway, and there’s a lot we don’t yet know about these harmful atoms. What we do know is that protecting the body against the damage caused by free radicals is one of vitamin E’s main responsibilities.
The recommended amount of vitamin E depends on your age, as well as whether you have any pre-existing conditions. On average, healthy adults need as much as 15 mg of vitamin E per day. Our bodies don’t make vitamin E, so we must get it from our diets. Most people receive the vitamin E they need from a balanced diet of whole foods. Pregnant and breastfeeding women require more vitamin E.
Vitamin E is found in a variety of naturally occurring foods, including fruit, nuts, sunflower seeds, and vegetable oils. A range of skincare and hair care products also contain vitamin E. These include moisturizers, makeup, acne treatments, shampoo, and conditioner, among others. However, vitamin E in cosmetic products doesn’t count toward your daily recommended allowance.
When enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, BrightFox provides a healthy, hydrating boost of vitamin E to keep your skin, hair, and immune system in top condition. An assortment of other vital vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes — with zero sugar, sweeteners, or artificial ingredients — make BrightFox the perfect companion to your active lifestyle.
Healthy people with fully functioning immune systems are unlikely to develop a deficiency. People with chronic inflammatory conditions and genetic disorders that affect the way fat is metabolized are at a higher risk of developing a deficiency. Vitamin E also interacts with medications and treatments, including chemotherapy and drugs that thin the blood or aid in blood clotting.
Although the average American diet doesn’t provide adequate amounts of vitamin E, serious side effects of deficiency are extremely uncommon. Signs of vitamin E deficiency include retina damage, nerve damage, and loss of control over the muscles. These symptoms usually only occur in people who have trouble metabolizing fats due to a pre-existing condition.
Although it’s rare to over consume vitamin E from food sources, taking dietary supplements exclusively containing much higher recommended levels of vitamin E can be dangerous. The good news is, vitamin E toxicity has never been observed from food sources alone.
While vitamin E is most famous for its effects on our skin and hair, its benefits certainly extend far beyond the cosmetic. This antioxidant plays a key role in keeping our cardiovascular systems healthy and preventing heart disease. It also protects our cells from environmental damage that contributes to signs of aging, helping us look and feel our best. As research continues on the benefits of vitamin E, we’re sure to discover even more ways this vitamin boosts our overall wellbeing. BrightFox is the perfect dose of a little extra vitamin E, helping you put your best face forward.
When most people hear the word “electrolytes,” they probably think of sports drinks. And rightly so — during exercise, electrolytes are lost through sweat and must be replenished for optimal performance. But what are electrolytes, exactly?
In simple terms, electrolytes are minerals that conduct electricity when dissolved in water. From regulating your body’s pH balance to contracting your muscles and playing a key role in your nervous system, electrolytes are responsible for an array of essential functions. Read on to discover how electrolytes keep you happy, healthy, and hydrated.
Minerals that are considered electrolytes include potassium, sodium, calcium, and chloride, among others. Let’s take a closer look at their individual functions and health benefits.
is one of the three most abundant minerals in our bodies. It’s primarily responsible for regulating fluid levels and aiding the production of the proteins our cells need to maintain healthy tissues and organs. Potassium also increases bone density, helps prevent stroke and type 2 diabetes, and regulates blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
works alongside potassium to balance fluid levels as well as blood pressure. This mineral has a somewhat “bad” reputation as a major cause of heart disease. However, our bodies need sodium to live and perform vital functions. Consuming too much sodium and too little potassium is what increases the risk factor.
functions similarly to potassium and sodium, maintaining optimal blood pressure levels and the body’s pH balance. Most of your chloride intake comes from salt, also known as sodium chloride.
is renowned for building and maintaining strong bones and healthy teeth — but its benefits don’t stop there. Our bodies rely on calcium to transmit messages from our brain to our nerves, which facilitates muscle movement. Calcium also aids proper blood flow and clotting, in addition to releasing vital hormones and managing enzyme function.
Athletes are familiar with the role electrolytes play in their workout, but these charged minerals are vital for just about every process in our bodies. Check out just a few ways electrolytes keep you going.
Without electrolytes, performing everyday tasks would be impossible. Our muscles wouldn’t be able to contract or relax, our cells wouldn’t be able to replicate, and our brains wouldn’t be as focused. Electrolytes influence everything we do and even how we feel. From alleviating migraine headaches and depression to contributing to a better night’s sleep, electrolytes keep us feeling happy, healthy, and alert.
Electrolytes keep us hydrated by managing how much water our bodies retain and how much we lose through sweating and urinating. Our intense morning workouts and intoxicating nights out result in a big loss of electrolytes, which causes fatigue, headaches, and dizziness if not replaced.
Replenishing electrolyte levels throughout your day ensures top performance both in the gym and on the dance floor. Whether you’re recovering from a satisfying workout or enjoying a round of pre-drinks with your crew, BrightFox provides a healthy, hydrating boost of electrolytes and essential nutrients morning, noon, and night. All three flavors contain three times the electrolytes as other popular sports drinks — without all the added sugars, empty calories, and artificial ingredients. (We’ll toast to that!)
No matter how much we love our favorite mixed drinks, they don’t always love us back. If you’re nursing a sore head the morning after, electrolyte drinks help replace some of the nutrients you lost the night before. While there’s no such thing as a hangover cure, every little bit helps.
On your next night out, why not consider mixing your favorite spirits with BrightFox to help prevent a hangover? BrightFox hydrates and restores electrolytes and other essential nutrients while you drink, making it a smart, crisp, and refreshing way to enjoy your favorite spirits. Our three flavors also pair deliciously well with gin, vodka, and tequila, giving you a few new cocktail ideas to add to your list.
A few electrolyte-rich foods include avocados, leafy greens, and yogurt. Electrolyte drinks, like BrightFox, also supplement a balanced diet of whole foods, giving you the fuel you need for an effective workout, a productive workday, and a festive afterparty.
Again, that depends on the electrolyte. Medications, kidney disorders, and respiratory diseases may result in an electrolyte deficiency. Those with more demanding nutritional needs, like pregnant women, may also be at a higher risk of electrolyte deficiency.
As we’ve already seen, we lose electrolytes through sweat and urine, which means overconsumption is rare. In fact, you’re much more likely to consume too few electrolytes rather than too many.
The clue is in the name: electrolytes power just about everything we do, from moving our muscles to controlling our emotions. Apart from their essential role in hundreds of biological processes, electrolytes keep us feeling focused, hydrated, and balanced.
While most of us don’t get enough electrolytes, they’re readily available in many of our favorite foods and beverages. Although some sports drinks tout their electrolyte content, they’re also loaded with sugars, sweeteners, and artificial colors, making them a not-so-healthy option for your post-workout refreshment. Kick your day (or night) up a notch with BrightFox, packed with three times the electrolytes and zero artificial ingredients.
Choline plays a key role in a number of essential biological processes, including neurological development, muscle movement, and liver function. Scientists first discovered choline in the mid-1800s, but it wasn’t until the late 1990s that biologists began researching the full extent of its health benefits.
Although the liver produces small amounts of choline, most of the choline we need comes from our diet. Keep reading to find out how choline can kickstart a productive day of learning and working, optimize your workout, and regulate liver function during an exhilarating night out on the town.
• Regulates mood and memory. Studies show that diets rich in choline improve memory significantly and may help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Choline also helps control mood swings and may protect the brain against the development of mood disorders.
• Promotes healthy liver function. Choline aids in liver function by removing cholesterol and transporting fats from the liver to other parts of the body. This function provides energy to our bodies, aids in metabolism, and helps create vital neurological proteins. It also helps prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Supports muscle movement and a regular heartbeat. Your body needs choline to produce acetylcholine, a chemical compound that transmits messages between your nerves and muscles. Acetylcholine regulates heartbeat, slows contraction of the heart muscles, increases bladder capacity, and so much more.
• Lowers blood pressure and reduces cholesterol. By removing cholesterol from the liver, choline helps keep our cardiovascular systems healthy, decreasing the risk of heart disease.
• Keeps cells and tissues healthy. Choline is a key component in the production of building blocks that form part of cell membranes, plasma, and lipoproteins, as well as the insulation of brain and nerve tissues.
This is just the beginning of what we know about choline so far. The list of choline’s potential health benefits is a long one. Choline is also thought to help treat a wide range of neurological and liver diseases, as well as protect the liver from alcohol damage and improve athletic performance.
Aside from its role in key biological functions, choline powers every part of your daily routine, from the start of your workday to the end of your night out. Here are just a few of the ways choline fuels your active lifestyle.
Choline’s contributions to learning and memory make it an important part of a productive day at work or school. Enhance your mental performance and productivity with a healthy dose of choline in the morning. A hearty breakfast containing eggs, whole grains, or nuts and seeds, paired with your favorite BrightFox flavor, can provide as much as half of your daily recommended intake, giving you the edge you need to make the most of your day.
From regulating your heart rate to dilating your blood vessels, choline is an essential part of an effective workout routine. Vigorous exercise, particularly endurance sports like marathon running, depletes choline levels significantly. More specifically, scientists suspect that nerve cells source choline from the bloodstream to produce more acetylcholine during endurance exercise to optimize muscle function.
Endurance athletes in particular should monitor their choline intake, but everyone could benefit from a nutritional boost to power up their workout. BrightFox contains 2.2 mg of choline and none of the added sugar or artificial ingredients found in many popular sports drinks
Your favorite beers and spirits, unfortunately, increase the amount of choline your body needs, as well as the risk of deficiency in people with low intake. Mix your favorite spirit with your favorite BrightFox flavor for a boost of choline and other essential nutrients to keep you dancing, sipping, and vibing with your squad all night long. Choline is even thought to protect your liver against damage from alcohol, although this claim is still being researched.
The recommended daily intake of choline varies based on a number of factors, including age and biological sex. Because choline is still being researched, it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact milligram amount of recommended choline intake. In fact, one study found that some participants who consumed the recommended amount showed signs of choline deficiency.
Choline is an abundant nutrient in many of the foods we eat. These include meat (specifically organ meats like beef liver), dairy, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. BrightFox also provides a healthy, hydrating boost of choline, as well as other essential vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes.
Pregnant, breastfeeding, and postmenopausal women, those who consume heavy amounts of alcohol, and patients diagnosed with certain genetic disorders are at risk for choline deficiency.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women especially benefit from choline supplementation, which may improve fetal brain development. Choline deficiency is also linked to birth defects. Babies require a substantial amount of choline for healthy development, which they receive from their mothers’ milk. Decreased estrogen levels also increase choline requirements in women experiencing menopause.
Drinking alcohol increases the amount of choline your liver needs to function properly. Using BrightFox as a mixer contributes to your choline intake and also replenishes other nutrients lost from drinking, including water, zinc, and vitamins, fueling your night out and helping you feel refreshed the morning after.
Despite the fact that many people don’t get enough choline in their diets, severe effects of choline deficiency are rare.
While it’s possible to consume too much choline, doing so by eating choline-rich foods is unlikely, especially considering the upper limit of choline intake is quite high. The negative effects associated with choline overconsumption are relatively mild.
There’s still so much we don’t know about this essential nutrient, but what we do know is that choline boosts mental function and brain development, maintains a healthy cardiovascular system, and keeps the liver in top form. The list of choline’s health benefits is sure to keep growing as researchers unravel the mysteries of choline and how it affects our bodies. We’ll toast to that.