Frequently Asked Questions
How much Functional Juice should I drink in a day? We recommend drinking up to two bottles per day. When should I drink Functional Juice? You can enjoy M13 products any time of day, just be aware that the effect of each product may affect whatever you’re doing or going to do. M13 Assistance, for example, provides a potent energy boost, so it may affect your ability to sleep if you drink it later in the day. It’s a great healthy substitute for morning coffee (try adding a half bottle to a breakfast smoothie!) and an excellent pick-me-up if you’re starting to drag your heels in the afternoon. Many people also find that drinking a bottle 30-45 minutes before working out is a valuable part of their pre-workout routine. M13 Calm/Detox, on the other hand, has a tranquilizing effect, so we don’t recommend that you operate a car or a crane or a table saw after drinking one. It’s more conducive to a lazy Sunday with a newspaper. Because it helps clarify and focus your mind, M13 Wellbeing works well in a work or study routine. If you’re feeling a little rundown, perhaps with the onset of a cold, both M13 Wellbeing and M13 Assistance can give your immune system the boost it needs to beat the bug. Can Functional Juice prevent or cure hangovers? Well… no. The only surefire way to prevent a hangover is to avoid alcohol, of course, but if you want to enjoy a few drinks, Functional Juice can help minimize the aftereffects. As Canadians, we view this as one of our products’ most important benefits. With its detoxifying blend of Chinese herbs and floral extracts, Calm/Detox in particular can help get rid of the alcoholic toxins that make you feel like a sack of rotten potatoes. But in fact all three Functional Juice products have a general replenishing effect on the body, and each includes several ingredients that can specifically assist with hangover symptoms. For example, each Functional Juice contains antioxidants, which neutralize the free radicals that are generated by alcohol consumption, and vitamin B6, the destruction and loss of which is promoted by drinking alcohol. What is the calorie count of each Functional Juice? Each bottle of Functional Juice contains approximately 130-150 calories (about the same as a granola bar). The natural sugars in the fruit juices are responsible for the majority of the calories. How much caffeine is in M13 Assistance? Each bottle of Assistance contains 88 mg of caffeine. For reference, a typical six oz (medium) cup of brewed coffee contains about 120-150 mg of caffeine. The caffeine in M13 Assistance comes courtesy of yerba maté leaves, which provide a smoother, more balanced stimulant effect than coffee. Does the energy effect of M13 Assistance derive only from caffeine? No, there are other vitalizing forces at work as well, all of which work in concert for balanced, sustained mental and physical stimulation. Branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) like leucine and valine have an energizing effect on the body, as does astragalus and Chinese cinnamon bark. As an effective metabolizing agent, vitamin B6 contributes to the vitalizing effect of Assistance as well. Is M13 Functional Juice organic? No, it is not certified organic, but it contains all natural ingredients, with no added sugars or sweeteners, no artificial flavors or colors, and no preservatives. How does M13 Functional Juice taste? While all Functional Juice products share a common black currant base, each has its own distinct flavor profile. M13 Assistance has a sweet-tart berry flavor highlighted by a spicy ginger root note. M13 Wellbeing is the fruitiest of the three, with a sweet and delicious raspberry-black currant flavor rounded out by a hint of licorice root. M13 Calm/Detox, the most herbal tasting Functional Juice, is dominated by the earthy, astringent flavor of the Chinese herbs and floral extracts. Is M13 Functional Juice perishable? Yes. Because there are no chemical preservatives, once you open the bottle, Functional Juice should be treated like any other fresh juice. It should be refrigerated and will maintain its freshness for 3-4 days Is Functional Juice pasteurized? Yes, it undergoes a flash-pasteurization process in which it is quickly heated (to eliminate all harmful bacteria) then quickly cooled (to retain nutrisients and flavor). Is Functional Juice kosher? Unfortunately no. Although, our manufacturing facility is kosher-certified, we cannot guarantee that all of the ingredients are kosher. We are working toward certifying our product and we look forward to relaying the good news once it’s certified. Is Functional Juice vegan-friendly? It sure is! We have taken great care to ensure none of the ingredients we use come from animal sources. Why the aluminum bottle? Our aluminum packaging serves a few purposes. First, the opaque bottle protects the juice from UV light, keeping it fresh on the shelf without the need for chemical preservatives. Second, the bottle’s screw cap allows you to consume as much of your dose at one time as you see fit. Because there are no chemical preservatives, once you open it, you should treat Functional Juice like any other fresh juice – it’s good in your fridge for 3-4 days. Third, the bottle is durable so that it can travel with you wherever you go without risk of breaking or spilling. Fourth, aluminum is easily recyclable and can be recycled an infinite number of times. Oh, and did we mention that the atomic number of aluminum is 13? True story. Note that the Assistance™ bottle is lined with a special coating that prevents the juice from coming into contact with the aluminum. It is designed specifically for drinking and is tested to the highest standards of quality assurance. What is RA Projects? RA (“Reciprocal Assistance”) Projects is an arts nonprofit established by M13 that focuses on providing children aged 6-14 with education and resources that foster creative expression. Our vision is to work with local communities to promote children’s artistic growth. The RA mission is derived from the understanding that creative expression is an integral part of child development, and kids’ access to creative tools and leadership is highly unequal.The RA Projects program is funded through the sale of M13 Functional Juice. Thirteen cents from the sale of each bottle goes to the RA Projects Fund.