Unfortunately, the sodas, fruit juices, and sports drinks inside are most likely loaded with things like dextrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, and sucrose.
In fact, the Department of Health says that somewhere around 11% of the calories kids take in come from sugar-sweetened beverages. When children from one- to five-years-old drink soft drinks, their risk of dental issues increases by 80 to 100%. Even more alarming are the CDC’s findings that sugary drinks are associated with an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
During the pandemic, one immigrant family put their talents and tastebuds to the test in order to come up with a non-alcoholic, healthy drink that both kids and parents could enjoy. “The world needs a fun, guilt-free beverage everyone can drink together,” says Rushabh Shah. “Glish is a sparkling ginger-based beverage made for everyone in your family, by everyone in our family.”
Making a drink that keeps the whole family healthy and hydrated this summer
The Shah family crowded together under one roof during the lockdown. Grandparents, parents, and kids met around the kitchen table for meals. “It was a challenge to find a healthy beverage option that everyone could agree on,” remembers Rushabh. “My parents couldn’t drink kombucha or a prebiotic soda, and the kids didn’t like sparkling water. We wanted a drink we could share together — a simple beverage that didn’t compromise on taste.”
To solve the problem, Ashita Shah put her degree in food science to work and considered dozens of possible ingredients and flavor profiles. After weeks of trial and error, she hit on the key ingredient, and her family approved.
Ginger brings flavor and health benefits to healthy drinks
Sodas and energy drinks contain some ingredients that are definitely not found in the average kitchen. Things like Red 40, phosphoric acid, citric acid, sodium citrate, monopotassium phosphate, glycerol, ester of rosin, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, mono-potassium phosphate, dextrose, and caffeine are in many of today’s most common sodas and sports drinks. Though they sound like something a mom with a background in food chemistry might concoct, Ashita Shah prefers simple ingredients. “The drink we made is all-natural, vegan, non-GMO, caffeine-free, and gluten-free. You will recognize every single ingredient when you read our labels.”
Ashita Shah selected naturally-pressed ginger as the main ingredient for the entire Glish lineup due to its punchy flavor and potent health benefits. According to Medical News Today, studies indicate that ginger has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. In other words, this one ingredient is able to soothe sore muscles, ease arthritis, boost immune systems, fight bacteria and viruses, calm nausea, relieve indigestion, and deliver antioxidants.
Glish is currently available in three flavors: Chai-spice ginger, mango ginger, and yuzu ginger. All are infused with the ingredient in its purest and most natural form.
Aside from Glish’s key ingredient, the beverage contains organic cane sugar, lemon juice concentrate, and natural flavor. “Every bottle of Glish is free of artificial ingredients and contains just six to eight grams of sugar,” says Ashita Shah. “The simplicity of quality ingredients in perfect balance is the magic behind its taste.”
Rushabh Shah sourced quality ingredients that align with his family’s vision. When the healthy drink hit the market, it stood apart from the sugary offerings lining shelves and menus.
“Our mission is to bring people together to cherish life with a guilt-free sparkling beverage that is fun and functional,” he explains. “We noticed there was a gap in the market for healthy, non-alcoholic drinks that still taste good, so we decided to create our own. Celebrating with a cool drink on a summer day brings our family closer together, and we hope it will do the same for yours!”
