The Rise of Social Seltzers and Functional Drinks: What's Next for the Non-Alcoholic Boom?
PHOENIX, AZ, April 3, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- With the rise of functional beverages, social seltzers, and non-alcoholic rituals like Dry January and Sober October, a growing wave of consumers are rethinking how—and why—they unwind. Riding this cultural shift is VIVAZEN, a social drink made from plant-based ingredients that help people relax, Feel Great™, and stay in control—no booze required.
According to a recent NCSolutions survey, 41% of Americans are actively trying to drink less alcohol, and 75% have tried or are interested in trying non-alcoholic alternatives. The study also reveals that consumers are looking beyond just abstaining—they're actively seeking functional benefits like stress relief, energy, and mood support. That's exactly where VIVAZEN fits in.
'We're seeing more and more consumers trading alcohol not just for what they want to avoid—but for how they want to feel,' said Natalie Gershon, chief marketing officer at VIVAZEN. 'Our community tells us they love that VIVAZEN helps them relax, connect, and unwind—without sacrificing clarity, sleep, or productivity the next day.'
Made with a proprietary blend of functional botanicals, VIVAZEN is designed to:
Support relaxation and mood
Provide a clean, functional Feel Great™ effect
Fit seamlessly into any social setting—from bars to backyard hangs
Customers echo this sentiment in product reviews and social content, calling VIVAZEN their 'go-to drink for winding down after work' and 'a must-have for social settings without the pressure to drink.'
As alcohol alternatives continue to evolve beyond sugary mocktails and sparkling waters, VIVAZEN stands out with a purpose-built, plant-powered formula that's resonating with sober-curious consumers, wellness-minded Millennials, and Gen Z trendsetters seeking more mindful ways to unwind.
VIVAZEN is available in ready-to-drink Alcohol Alternative™ seltzers, botanical gummies, and concentrated wellness shots, available at www.feelgreatbotanics.com and select retail locations nationwide.
About VIVAZEN
VIVAZEN fuels Everyday Heroes™ with the power of plants. For over a decade, we've delivered trusted, high-quality botanical supplements that help people power through, focus up, chill out, and boost their mood—without compromise. Rooted in centuries of herbal wisdom and backed by modern innovation, VIVAZEN is a functional, feel-good alternative for those who want to live—and feel—on their own terms. Join the millions who trust VIVAZEN to Feel Great™, naturally and visit https://feelgreatbotanics.com.
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Kyra Dahring 00:05:11 'Okay, Sanjay, here's the listener with the follow-up question from a previous episode. Take a listen. Listener Mark 00:05:16 Hi, Dr. Gupta. My name is Mark. I live in New Jersey. I'm 69 years old. I know you've already pretty much exhausted the topic of sunscreen and how much sun is good for you, both in general and for your eyesight. But your podcast on the subject begged a couple of questions. You said that the ideal situation was a certain number of minutes of morning sunlight. Not every day starts off with beautiful golden rays of morning sunshine. How would your recommendation change in the following weather conditions? 1. cloudy all day. 2. Light rain or light snow all day. 3. cloudy or rain or snow in the morning and then sunlight starting at 1 p.m. 4. windy with clouds in the mornings so the sun is only out about 50% of the time. Sorry to get so granular, but just trying to be realistic in terms of actual weather conditions. Thank you! Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:06:10 'Wow, Mark, thank you very much. It is just gratifying for me to know that you're listening so closely that you actually have a really smart follow-up question for me. I'm impressed. Let's start with the advice that you referenced. That came from Dr. Raj Maturi. He's an ophthalmologist with 25 years of experience. Dr. Raj Maturi 00:06:30 'Aim for 10 to 15 minutes of direct, unfiltered morning light. No windows, no sunglasses, as soon as practical after waking up. In fact, the best and safest time to do it is in the first 45 minutes after the sun rises. Early in the morning, the sun is coming at a pretty acute angle on the atmosphere. A lot of the bad stuff, the UVB light, the really short wavelength light that's bad for us, jumps off the atmosphere. So we don't get that, our skin doesn't get that, and therefore doesn't get red even if you're outside 10-15 minutes. That's a clear sign that it's still safe. And your sunburn risk is almost zero at that early point in the morning and it allows your vitamin D production to happen. Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:07:13 So let me establish a couple of things here. And I think this is clear, but first of all, skin cancer is typically caused by exposing the cells in the skin to UV radiation, ultraviolet radiation. Most of those harmful ultraviolets rays are coming down from about 10 a.m. To 4 p.m., that's six hour window. That's typically the hottest part of the day with the most sunshine. Now, that's why Dr. Maturi suggests getting those 10 to 15 minutes of direct sunlight In the morning, before most UV rays are beaming down from the sun. And again, that means taking the time without sunglasses on, and of course, being careful to avoid looking directly at the sun, but let me get to the specifics of your question. And I think it's how to achieve the benefits of that direct sunlight, even when it's a rainy day or the sun doesn't come out until the afternoon. First of all, keep in mind that even if it's cloudy, or even if there's a bit of a drizzle, there is sunlight still reaching the earth, and that means it's reaching your body and your eyes. So even if it's not a particularly bright day, that 10 to 15 minutes could still be beneficial. Now if the sun doesn't come out until 1 p.m., you should not consider this your opportunity to make up for the missed morning of sunlight. Why? It may be the first light of the day, but it's still within that higher period of UV rays. So you gotta exercise normal caution. One thing I want to point out, seasonal affective disorder, SAD, that's the acronym. That's a form of depression caused by a lack of sunlight, and about 10 million people in the United States suffer from it. I lived in the North for a long time in Michigan, and the percentage of people suffering from it was even higher up there. So you know, you got to take that into account. That's why a lot of people I think plan a vacation to somewhere warm and sunny during the winter months. And if you can't travel, you could consider getting a lightbox that's a specialized lamp that can at least approximate some of that early morning light. Now, it is important to remember that time outdoors, taking a walk, just spending time in nature, something that is referred to as forest bathing has been shown to benefit not just mood, but also your immune system. So even if it's cloudy outside, maybe even if its lightly snowing outside, consider putting on a coat, taking a walk. It can be a real boon to your eyes, to your immune system, and to your mood as well. I can almost guarantee you, you're gonna feel better. Sometimes when I'm having a tough day, just putting on my sneakers, getting outside, taking a walk, even for a few minutes, makes a huge difference! And Mark, I think it'll help you a lot as well. Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:09:59 'Thanks so much to everyone who sent in the questions. You know, I say this all the time, but it's true. This show would not exist without you, and I'm really glad you're a part of it. If there is anything health-related you've been wondering about, don't keep it to yourself. I've dedicated myself to this show, so share it with me. Record a voice memo, email it to asksanjay@ or give us a call, 470-396-0832, and leave a message. Thanks for listening.
