Functional Sparking Water May Be Just The Boost We Needed This Holiday Season

When we were in college, it felt doable to go to school every day, work and study every night, and still go out all night on weekends. We somehow had the energy to make it work and feel pretty good while we were at it. Now, a few decades later, we go out for drinks after work a few weeknights in a row, and it takes a week to recover. Aging can be humbling.

That’s why I was super intrigued to learn about the release of GLOW, a new functional sparkling beverage which combines both the crucial need to stay hydrated while we go through one of those wild days but also keeps our energy up. It has some star power behind it too, as both Kylie Jenner and Dak Prescott have signed on as ambassadors and equity stakeholders.

Functional water is quite simply water that hydrates, as any other water would, but also provides other functional benefits. This is thanks to the inclusion of herbs, vitamins, or other ingredients that in some way help enhance well-being.

We all remember our college days when we’d be downing those energy drinks to get through late-night study sessions, and then chugging water between sips. Why not find a way to have the energy and the hydration in the same place? This drink comes in fun flavors like spicy watermelon, mango apricot, ginger lemon, pineapple blood orange, and more.

“I’ve always been interested in the water and functional beverage category. My ambassadorship with GLOW is exciting as it allows me to support a product that is revolutionizing the industry. In the past, sparkling waters have lacked enhancements and functional waters have lacked carbonation,” said Kylie Jenner in a statement.

Of course, it’s important to understand what is inside because “functional” can easily sound like a buzzword. Its ingredients include B12 and caffeine, as well as antioxidants, herbs, vitamins, amino acids, and electrolytes, but no sugar or carbs. This suggests a lot of possibilities, from post-workout hydration to a healthier way to mix cocktails at the end of a long night. Perhaps if we start making our vodka sodas with functional sparkling water instead of the usual seltzer in the fridge, we’ll feel better in the morning?

Well, it’s worth a try.

GLOW is now available online as well as at select Costco locations in the Bay Area, but will ultimately be expanded to Walmart, Ralph’s, and more in 2023.