The Noni berry, according to Snapple’s marketing blurb on the bottles of their beverage, was “said by the early Polynesians … to improve energy to promote a happier, more positive outlook”. That’s fine, but what I think is really doing the energy trick in this drink is the 30mg of caffeine and 55mg of ECGC that they’ve infused. That said, I found it to work pretty well as an eye-opener, and it’s both relatively inexpensive and low-calorie.
I got my bottle on sale at Safeway for $1.00, apparently the regular retail is closer to $1.50. The drink is flavored mostly with pear juice and aspartame, and thus has the “artificial sweetener” taste to it. It’s a light pear/strawberry flavor that isn’t unpleasant, but I wouldn’t go so far as to call “good”. It’s easily drinkable, however, and goes down smoothly.
I drank some at 5 A..M. after getting only a few hours of sleep, and I was clearheaded and energetic very quickly – much quicker than coffee usually gets me there. As far as effect on metabolism, however, I can’t say I noticed any change from the regular at all.
At $1 I thought it was a pretty good deal, and I’d go to it again if I want a light, fruit-flavored drink with an energy kick (and I do appreciate the use of a glass bottle). I don’t think I’d go higher than $1, though, as the taste isn’t particularly appealing.
