Last week I wrote about the new range of mocktail powders we now stock in-store. With many making the decision to reduce alcohol consumption, we have for some time been looking for a mocktail range and now think we have hit the jackpot with our new range of delicious mocktails which come in flavours such as Coconut-Pine Swirl, Choc-Berry Espresso, Melon-Berry Bliss, Peach-Mango Crush, Apple-Lychee Cooler.

 As I mentioned last week, these mocktails are extremely tasty and very affordable at around $2.20 per mocktail serving.  The mocktail powders contain a range of herbs, minerals and amino acids which may also be helpful for weight management and digestive support. There are also ingredients that may help with stress, anxiety, and cognitive function. These ingredients include L-carnitine, Bitter Orange, Grains of Paradise, Chromium Picolinate, White Tea Powder, Black Pepper Extract, Inulin, L-glutamine, Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Probiotics, L-Tyrosine, Schisandra, and L-Theanine.   What a bonus!!  Not only are these mocktails healthy because they are alcohol-free, they also contain some great health benefits AND they come in delicious flavours.  

Ingredients that may benefit Weight Management Support include –

L-carnitine is an amino acid often included in natural weight-loss products.  It plays an important role in generating energy for our cells and is believed to assist in conveying fatty acids into our cells’ mitochondria, which enables fatty acids to be burned for energy. It’s thought supplementation with L-carnitine may assist in fat burning. One review of 37 studies concluded taking 2000mg L-Carnitine per day could assist in reducing body weight, BMI and fat mass, especially in overweight/obese adults. (1) Another meta-analysis of six studies found L-Carnitine could reduce body weight, BMI and belly fat in people with polycystic ovary syndrome. The results found L-Carnitine significantly decreased total cholesterol, low-density and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, body weight, body mass index, hip circumference and waist circumference. (2) L-carnitine may also be beneficial in enhancing exercise performance and assisting in post-exercise recovery. 

Bitter Orange is extracted from the bitter orange peel and is frequently used in herbal weight loss supplements and has been believed for some time to contain thermogenic properties, increasing energy and assisting with weight loss.

Grains of Paradise is an interesting spice related to the ginger plant.  This spice is once again believed to increase metabolism which may aid in weight loss.  It is also thought to contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Chromium Picolinate is a mineral I have often written about to assist in weight loss and sugar cravings.  This mineral has been found to regulate blood sugar levels, helping to reduce sugar cravings and assist in weight management as well as lessen the risk of diabetes.

White Tea Powder is not only high in antioxidants but also may be beneficial in boosting metabolism, aiding our body to burn fat thereby helping with weight management. There is a belief also that polyphenols which are found in white tea may also lessen the risk of insulin resistance helping with the control of blood sugar.

Inulin (Chicory Root) is a prebiotic, which apart from being hugely beneficial for our gut health is also believed to assist in regulating blood sugar and insulin resistance. Inulin may be beneficial in aiding with weight loss by not only reducing sugar cravings, it has also been found to make us feel more fuller, meaning we are feeling less hungry.

Black Pepper Extract (Bioperine) is included in the formula to assist in the absorption of these nutrients, helping to increase the bioavailability of ingredients.

1. Effect of l-carnitine supplementation on weight loss and body composition: A systematic review and met-analysis of 37 randomized controlled clinical trials with dose-response analysis. Nasir Talenazhad, Mohammad Mohammadi, Nahid Ramezani-Jolfai, Hassan Mozaffari-Khosravi, Amin Salehi-Abargouei Clin Nutr ESPEn 2020 June:37:9-23. Doi 10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.03.008 Epub 2020 Apr 18.

2. Clinical evidence of the effects of carnitine supplementation on bodyweight, glycemic control and serum lipids in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

3. Dan Liao, Xiamei Liu, Xiuying Yuan, Poling Feng, Zhiwei Ouyang, Yanyan Liu, Cuifen Li Meta Analysis Gynecol Endocrinol 2022 Feb, 38(2):110-115. Doi: 10.1080/09513590.2021.1988559.Epub 2021 Oct 11