What Is In A Nutritional Drink?

"Nutritional drink" refers to any of a number of different products or recipes for drinks containing added nutritional ingredients, such as proteins, vitamins and minerals. Some companies market nutritional drinks for sports and fitness. Others are designed to provide essential nutrients for people who are building their strength after illness. Some drinks contain blended fruit or vegetables; these types of drinks, when freshly prepared, are more commonly called smoothies.

Meal Replacement

Some nutritional drinks serve as meal replacements for people with digestive problems or those recovering from surgery. The drink provides many of the key vitamins and nutrients in a form that is easier to digest than solid food. For example, an 8-oz. bottle of a common nutritional drink listed on the National Library of Medicine website contains 26 percent of your recommended daily protein intake, 17 percent of your daily fat intake and 17 percent of suggested daily carbohydrate intake. Ingredients of these drinks can include corn syrup, sucrose, canola oil and soy protein.

Vitamins and Minerals

Nutritional drinks can serve as a supplementary source of vitamins and minerals. For example, vitamin C helps control infection, while vitamin A helps with cell growth and the production of white blood cells. The Harvard School of Public Health suggests that vitamin D can lower the risk of colon cancer. Nutritional drinks often contain all of these vitamins, as well as B vitamins such as folic acid and B-12. Some drinks contain iron, calcium and other minerals important for healthy circulation and bones.

Energy Drinks

Many drinks available in the United States, purported by their manufacturers to increase energy, concentration or alertness, contain any of a variety of stimulant substances, such as caffeine. Few of the most popular ingredients have reliable scientific evidence to support claims such as improved mental performance. For example, Dr. Karrie Heneman of the University of California's Department of Nutrition suggests that the common energy-drink ingredients carnitine, Panax ginseng, glucuronolactone and inositol do not have reliable scientific evidence to confirm their claimed energy benefits.

Specialty Drinks

Some nutritional drinks are created to aid specific medical conditions. For example, scientists at Saint Louis University developed a nutritional drink designed to help patients with Alzheimer's disease. The drink contains a mix of vitamins and antioxidants linked with improved brain function, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which are connected to healthy brain activity and a lowered risk of heart disease. Other nutritional drinks may help people with bowel conditions such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease to get essential nutrients that they cannot otherwise absorb from food.