Everybody needs protein, so anyone can drink protein water, White says. However, if you’re highly active and/or struggling with consuming enough protein through whole foods, it might be especially helpful to try protein water, Carpenter adds. Maybe you’re on the go a lot, you’re vegan, or you don’t cook — a protein supplement or water might be good to add to your rotation. Protein water is basically water that's been infused with extra protein,’ says Sohee Carpenter, CSCS, a fitness and nutrition coach, WH advisor, sports science PhD student, and author of Eat. Lift. Thrive. A lot of brands have between 10 and 20 grams of protein, and it’s usually fruit-flavoured, she says, adding that it’s ‘a really easy, convenient way to get in extra protein.’

Meet the experts: Dana White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietician and nutrition consultant specialising in sports nutrition. Sohee Carpenter, CSCS, is a fitness and nutrition coach, WH advisor, sports science PhD student, and author of Eat. Lift. Thrive. Sophie Medlin is the founder of City Dieticians and a registered dietician. BCAAs, or branched-chain amino acids, are named for their branching chemical structure. The body cannot synthesise BCAAs, so they must be taken in as part of your diet or in supplementary form. They’re important for muscle and skeletal growth and are thought to improve athletic performance and mental stimulation, although further study is needed to prove the latter claims. Functional waters are essentially those with added functional ingredients: such as botanicals, vitamins, minerals or oxygen. Functional waters can be still or sparkling and can be flavoured or unflavoured - their point in common is they are marketed as having a functional positioning. Energy drinks, like most things in life, are perfectly safe when consumed in moderation. That being said, their high caffeine content can be hazardous for those with pre-existing heart conditions, pregnant women and younger children. For the best safe consumption advice, always refer to the label or can and follow the manufacturer’s guidance and instructions. was understandably a quieter year for brand extensions and new variant launches, but 2021 is anticipated to see a surge in innovations as R&D teams used the quieter periods of 2020 to focus efforts on future planning and product formulations," ​said Bell.

Better for you

Note: With this being the highest concentration caffine beverage on our list, we would encourage you to employ caution and restraint when consuiming it. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines as well as any advice you may have received from healthcare professionals. At 32mg of caffeine per 100ml, Red Bull provides a reliable caffeine boost alongside taurine and B vitamins. While regular Red Bull tastes perfectly nice, this Red Edition watermelon variant has a tastier and more interesting fruity flavour. Also available are the Tropical Edition (tropical flavour), Coconut Edition (coconut-berry flavour) and Summer Edition (apricot-strawberry flavour). For those cutting down on sugar, you’ll be happy to know the tropical variant also has a sugar-free option available. READ NEXT: The best vitamin D supplements The best energy drinks you can buy in 2023 1. Red Bull Red Edition: Best energy drink overall It’s works great as a post workout drink to replenish what is lost. But I also prefer it every time I get the urge for something sweet. This one’s a nuanced one because it really depends on your daily lifestyle and what type of exercise you do. Here’s what Medlin suggests based on your workout routine:

There’s the question of what else is in your protein drink, like a lot of sugar or an artificial sweetener that you personally might not want to consume regularly. If you want to drink one on a daily basis, weigh the pros and cons – yes, you could be consuming more protein, but you could also be ‘doing yourself a disservice in another department,’ White says. Grenade’s ® innovative sports performance energy protein bars and shakes have a huge following ranging from professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts and military personnel in 100 countries worldwide. Some people may have medical conditions that call for them to consume less protein, but as long as you’re a healthy individual and you don’t get any stomach aches from drinking protein water, there’s no concern, Carpenter says. Who should drink protein water? In addition to innovative flavours and combinations, variants without added sugar or artificial sweeteners are likely to be popular with the consumer due to the increasing concern over sugar intake and calories,” ​said Bell.Upbeat Clear Whey Protein Isolate drinks contain all 9 essential amino acids, BCAAs and Vitamin B complex. With or without caffeine and absolutely zero sugar, they combine all the benefits of protein shakes, vitamin waters and energy drinks to keep you hydrated, energised and boosted right when you need it. UPBEAT PROTEIN HYDRATION MIXED BERRY The market in 2021 and beyond, however, may not be exactly the same as 2019. Post-pandemic consumers may not behave in the same way – while macro trends will also affect the category moving forward. Each bottle of UPBeat Protein Water contains spring water for hydration, real fruit, for a great and refreshing taste, and the whey protein is vegetarian and contains all nine essential amino acids to keep the body strong. It also has essential vitamins B5 to support mental performance and vitamins B5, B6 and B12 to support metabolism and to help reduce stress and fatigue. Sugar content remains a key consumer for UK consumers – as well as for manufacturers, given the 2018 introduction of the UK’s sugar tax. This will continue to be a factor for functional waters and the wider water plus category.