Magnesium Supplement Benefits: Sleep, Stress Recovery, and Healthy Relaxation

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GET ALL 7 FORMS OF MAGNESIUM for Maximum absorption and benefits for this power mineral

Medically reviewed by Gina Brown, ND — Written by Nattha Wannissorn, PhD, last updated November 5th, 2024

Magnesium is an essential mineral. Involved in over 300 biochemical reactions, it plays a vital role in many biological processes, influencing all aspects of health [1].

Most people have been deficient for years, so you’ll likely need a well-absorbed and well-tolerated magnesium supplement. Magnesium Breakthrough was formulated to meet the need for a highly bioavailable magnesium supplement. While most other magnesium supplements use just one, or up to three, types of magnesium, we have combined seven forms alongside other important molecules to maximize absorption. Plus, we deliver these benefits in just two small capsules, providing 500 mg of elemental magnesium per dose! 

The most common side effects people report from taking magnesium supplements are digestive upset and loose stools. Certain forms of magnesium tend to cause these symptoms more than others, especially when products are not well-absorbed which can make the effects worse. By combining magnesium types, many of them known to be more gentle on the stomach, we minimize these effects and enhance absorption.

The combination of magnesium with other compounds helps promote magnesium uptake and use in your body:

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Why 7 Forms of Magnesium Supplement?

Magnesium itself exists as a single element. However, it can be found in various forms and compounds, and they’re not all created equal. 

Obviously, you can only get the benefits from your supplements if you absorb them, not just through your gut into the bloodstream, but also into your cells and organs that need it.  

Organic forms of magnesium, such as chelate and glycinate, are better absorbed through the gut than non-organic forms like oxide and chloride [8]. However, organic forms are also more expensive than non-organic forms.

Animal studies suggest that various organic forms have different affinities for different areas of the body. Also, clinical studies confirm that certain forms of magnesium are better for certain organ systems than others [9]. For example, magnesium malate is great for muscles, while magnesium taurate and orotate are used more commonly to support cardiovascular health [9]

By providing multiple forms of magnesium in a single supplement, the body has an increased chance of absorbing the amount of magnesium it needs. Also, by taking only 1 - 2 forms of magnesium, some of your tissues could still be deficient.

Science-Based Health Benefits of Different Types of Magnesium and Their Cofactors in Magnesium Breakthrough.

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Magnesium Orotate [16] consists of magnesium bound to orotic acid. This preparation is believed to have more affinity for the cardiovascular system. Orotic acid is also involved in DNA and RNA synthesis, and can act as an antioxidant. 

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Magnesium Chelate [10] consists of magnesium that is bound to a chelating agent, such as amino acids. In Magnesium Breakthrough, it’s chelated with rice flour. This binding helps to enhance transportation across the intestinal wall and into the blood, improving bioavailability. This form is generally mild on the gut compared to other preparations, and may be less likely to interfere with the absorption of other minerals.

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Magnesium Citrate [11] combines magnesium with citric acid. This form is one of the most common in magnesium supplements, and has a mild laxative effect, which can make it useful for promoting bowel regularity. It is also an excellent form of magnesium for healthy blood sugar control, blood pressure, and overall metabolic health [12].

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Magnesium Bisglycinate (also called magnesium glycinate) [13] contains magnesium bound by two glycine molecules. This binding stabilizes the magnesium molecule, allowing for increased absorption in the digestive tract as it can absorb like a two amino acid peptide and bypass the need for stomach acid. As a result, magnesium bisglycinate generally has the least gut side effects compared to other formulations, which can be helpful for those with sensitive stomachs. Because glycine is a relaxing amino acid, this form is best for sleep and relaxation.

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Magnesium Malate [14] combines magnesium with malic acid, which is a compound that occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables. This combination provides synergistic effects (greater than the sum of its parts) in the body. Both magnesium and malic acid are involved in specific brain processes, which may increase their individual benefits when combined. 

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Sucrosomial® Magnesium [15] uses a specialized delivery system in order to increase the amount of magnesium that is absorbed through your gut and into your red blood cells. Magnesium is encapsulated in a structure of sucrose esters, which create a barrier through the digestive tract and allow for it to cross into the blood without interacting with the digestive tract lining. In a small clinical study, Sucrosomial® magnesium increased red blood cell magnesium better than magnesium glycinate and oxide.

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Magnesium Taurate[17] combines magnesium with the amino acid taurine. The combination can work together to regulate calcium and sodium levels within cells, which may help maintain a healthy blood pressure. Taurine has many roles within the cardiovascular and nervous systems, and this preparation may have additional benefits in supporting heart and brain health.

Cofactors in Magnesium Breakthrough

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Vitamin B6[18], also known as pyridoxine, is important for many enzymatic reactions in the body, including ones related to protein metabolism, synthesis of neurotransmitters, and energy production. A few clinical trials have demonstrated that vitamin B6 enhances the mood and stress resilience benefits of magnesium.

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Humic/Fulvic Monoatomic Blend [19]: Humic and fulvic acid interact with both magnesium and vitamin B6 to support their absorption and utilization in the body. They have chelating properties that enhance the solubility and uptake of magnesium, which may increase the amount of magnesium available to various tissues. 

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Manganese Citrate[20]: Manganese is a key micromineral that functions as a cofactor for many biological processes in the body. The small amount of manganese in Magnesium Breakthrough helps balance the magnesium and may also improve sleep. Clinical evidence suggests a manganese imbalance can lead to suboptimal sleep. 

Synergistic Effects of Magnesium Breakthrough Ingredients

Magnesium Breakthrough has a unique cutting-edge formulation, with all of the ingredients working together in synergy to deliver its benefits. Some examples of how these compounds work together include:

Magnesium Breakthrough is a proprietary blend because the formulation is unique and expertly formulated and tested to maximize its effectiveness. Therefore, it is an intellectual property that we cannot disclose to the public.

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The Epidemic of Magnesium Deficiency

Inadequate magnesium intake is of epidemic proportions in “Westernized” cultures. A 2005 study found that approximately 68% of Americans do not eat the RDA for magnesium.[28] Of those studied, 19% ate less than half of the RDA. The story is similar in Europe.[29] Depending on the daily magnesium intake and the unique physiologic needs of an individual, this undernourishment can result in either subclinical or frank magnesium deficiency. 

Subclinical deficiency is levels low enough to impact cell and enzyme functions, but the textbook signs and symptoms of deficiency like muscle twitching may not be present. This subclinical scenario could be any patient with any number of symptoms of functional origin with no other clear cause.

Serum Magnesium Level May Not Diagnose Low Magnesium

Serum magnesium level can be normal or high even with a frank magnesium deficiency.[30]

Magnesium is an electrolyte mineral, which means that too high or too low serum levels can cause life-threatening changes in heart and lung functions, or lead to shock. Therefore, the body will do everything possible to maintain serum magnesium within the normal levels. This means your serum magnesium can look normal even though there is a magnesium deficiency [31]. These compensatory mechanisms can supplement serum magnesium levels but cause a “cellular” magnesium deficiency. This means that within the cell, there is not enough magnesium despite serum levels within normal ranges.

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Only about 0.3% of the total amount of magnesium your body has is found in the serum [31]. This makes it an inaccurate marker of how much magnesium your body actually has. The body mainly stores magnesium in the bones, about 60% [31]. Another 40% is found within the cells, leaving less than 1% to be measured in the serum [31].

Approximately 20% of the population has low serum magnesium levels.[32] Magnesium deficiency is present in around 10-30% of the population.[33]

Assessing true whole-body magnesium status requires more than just serum magnesium levels, such as symptoms, overall health status, sleep quality, and health history. Currently, there is no perfect magnesium lab test. This article lists current options, along with their accuracy, pros, and cons [31]!

Magnesium Breakthrough Health Benefits

Magnesium is an example of an essential mineral. This means that it is vital for the proper functioning of the body. Essential minerals cannot be made by the body, unlike some vitamins, and therefore must be obtained from outside sources.

Some benefits associated with magnesium include:

Individual requirements for magnesium vary, and specific health benefits can depend on many different factors, including your age, health status, and any underlying conditions. Therefore it is always recommended to consult with a healthcare provider prior to beginning supplementation to address any specific health concerns and ensure that it is appropriate for you.

Here’s why Magnesium Breakthrough is particularly beneficial.

Healthy Stress Response and
Stress Resilience

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Supports Healthy GABA Levels and Functions [39][29]

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an “inhibitory” neurotransmitter, meaning that it functions to promote relaxation. Magnesium helps to regulate the receptors that GABA uses, enhancing their activity, and promoting a calming response [40]. This can have beneficial effects on stress responses, muscle relaxation, and overall nervous system balance.

GABA also plays an important role in promoting sleep and regulating the sleep-wake cycle. Because magnesium plays an important role in regulating GABA functions, it can contribute to better sleep quality. 

The inhibitory actions of GABA can offset the effects of excitatory neurotransmitters, which can promote nervous system balance, and resilience to stress, and help you relax. 

Magnesium Breakthrough combines well-studied forms of magnesium along with vitamin B6 to help support GABA receptor activity and promote a calm and balanced brain. 

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Supports Healthy Cortisol Response and Breakdown[29][41][42]

Cortisol is a stress hormone released by the adrenal glands, two endocrine glands that sit on top of your kidneys. When your body is under stress, the “fight or flight” response is activated and causes the release of adrenaline and cortisol. Short-term, this response is beneficial, but it can cause problems over time when this pathway is constantly activated. 

Magnesium and cortisol have a reciprocal relationship. When cortisol is high, magnesium can be depleted, but when magnesium is adequate it can help regulate cortisol release. This is what is known as a feedback loop. 

The way that cortisol can cause low levels of magnesium is by its action on the kidneys. Under stress, cortisol causes the kidneys to remove magnesium from the body, which can lead to lower magnesium levels. And because magnesium offsets some of the effects of cortisol, this can be problematic - impairing the body’s ability to cope with stress and exacerbating stress symptoms. By replenishing magnesium levels, your body can better maintain a healthy cortisol balance.

In a study of 49 participants, long-term (24 weeks) magnesium supplementation led to lower urinary cortisol levels and influenced certain enzymes related to cortisol processing [42]. This might be one way that increased magnesium can have protective impacts on the heart.

Magnesium Breakthrough combines several forms of magnesium that have been studied for their impacts on cortisol, including citrate, glycinate, and taurate. Combined, they can help support healthy cortisol levels and a balanced stress response.

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Replenish Lost Magnesium During Stress[41][43][44][45]

Magnesium plays an important role in the body’s stress response. When you are under acute stress, the body responds by increasing the levels of magnesium in the blood and excreting more in the urine. Initially, this shift from magnesium inside your cells to outside your cells helps to protect you from the harmful effects of stress. However, when stress becomes chronic, your whole-body magnesium levels can become depleted and this can have negative consequences.

Stress and low magnesium can worsen each other's negative effects, creating a harmful cycle. This can make you more vulnerable to the negative impacts of stress on your health. The good news is that when magnesium levels are adequate, it can have beneficial effects on the body’s stress response, including regulating the HPA axis (which is involved in the body’s stress response), influencing the production of calming neurotransmitters, and promoting restful sleep.

By helping improve magnesium status, Magnesium Breakthrough can help support a balanced stress response, and help mitigate the negative impacts of long-term stress.

Heart Health and Healthy Heart Rhythm[45][36][47][41]

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Magnesium can help maintain normal blood pressure levels. It counteracts calcium’s muscle-contracting effects. Magnesium helps smooth muscles relax, promote blood flow, and reduce muscle tension, which in turn supports healthy blood pressure.

Another way that magnesium can promote healthy blood pressure is by supporting endothelial function. The endothelium is the inner lining of the blood vessels. Magnesium helps increase nitric oxide, which can help dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow.

Sodium and potassium, two other minerals that are involved in heart health, work closely with magnesium. Sodium and potassium work reciprocally to maintain fluid balance, which is closely linked to blood pressure. Magnesium helps to support the balance between these two minerals, keeping them within range.

Magnesium Breakthrough provides a great source of magnesium for a healthy cardiovascular system. It also contains magnesium orotate and taurate, two forms that extensive research has demonstrated benefit cardiovascular health.

Women’s Health

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Healthy Menstrual Cycles and Fertility

Maintaining a healthy hormone balance is key for supporting the menstrual cycle and optimizing fertility. Magnesium plays an important role in regulating this delicate balance, helping to support and stabilize hormone levels. 

Magnesium helps with both production and regulation of steroid hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. It helps convert cholesterol into these hormones through enzyme actions where it acts as a cofactor for the following reactions:

  • The conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone [48]
  • Transforming androstenedione to estrone in the ovaries, which helps maintain a healthy estrogen balance  [49]
  • Supporting progesterone synthesis, crucial for a healthy uterine lining and optimal menstrual cycles [50] [50]
  • Facilitating testosterone production and maintaining optimal free testosterone levels, key for reproductive health and fertility. [51]

Magnesium is also helpful for enhancing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) binding to receptors on granulosa cells in the ovaries [52]. This helps improve FSH’s effectiveness. Indirectly, magnesium boosts the activity of another compound called adenylyl cyclase, which helps amplify FSH effects [52]. When magnesium levels are low, studies find FSH binding is impaired, highlighting this important role. 

Studies find that women with PMS symptoms have lower magnesium levels in their red blood cells than those without [53]. In one pilot study of 41 women aged 18-50, 250 mg of magnesium during the second half of their cycle improved symptoms over 3 months [54]. Another blinded RCT study found that 250 mg of magnesium combined with vitamin B6 showed significant improvements over 4 months [55]

Magnesium Breakthrough is formulated in combination with vitamin B6, making it an excellent option for managing period-related symptoms. Combined, these two compounds work synergistically to help keep hormones happy. 

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Menopause Well-being

Magnesium might also be helping to support the menopausal transition. When estrogen levels drop, it can lead to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. A magnesium deficiency during this time can exacerbate such symptoms. Estrogen enhances magnesium absorption and uptake into tissues. When estrogen levels drop during menopause, magnesium deficiency can get worse at the cellular level [49]. With most women in developed countries only consuming ⅔ of the recommended magnesium intake, magnesium supplementation can be a great support during this natural aging process [49].

Keeping hormone levels in balance is crucial during menopause and perimenopause. Progesterone levels decline faster than estrogen during perimenopause, leading to relative estrogen dominance [56] Magnesium can help support this via:

  • Supporting liver estrogen detox pathways [57]
  • Supporting healthy stress response [58]
  • Providing a key cofactor of thyroid hormone production and function [57]

Hot flashes are a common side effect of menopause, with sudden waves of heat, sweating, and distress causing impacts on daily functioning [59]. Because magnesium helps regulate nerve and muscle function, it might also impact the nervous system’s response to these sudden temperature changes [60]. In a phase 2 clinical trial of 25 women, 400 mg of magnesium per day over four weeks reduced the severity and duration of hot flashes [62]. Researchers thought that this effect might be related to magnesium’s impacts on the blood vessels, making them less sensitive to hormonal changes.

We also know that maintaining strong bones becomes even more important during menopause. During menopause, rapid drops in estrogen can activate osteoclasts, which are cells that break down bone [62]. Magnesium helps balance the rate of bone building to bone breakdown, which can be a useful support when it comes to menopausal health [63].

Magnesium Breakthrough contains 500 mg of elemental magnesium per dose, enough to support your body through the menopausal transition.

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Bone Health

Did you know that 60% of your body’s magnesium is stored within your bones[64]? This highlights how important this mineral is for bone health. It helps maintain the physical structure of your bones, as part of the bone mineral matrix [63]. And, within the bones, it helps regulate cells that help build and repair bone tissue [63].

Magnesium influences several key molecules that help ensure bones stay strong - calcium, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Magnesium helps convert vitamin D into it’s active form, where it can then be used by the body to help increase calcium absorption [65]. It also plays a key role in controlling the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH), an important molecule that keeps calcium levels stable [66].

By supporting these key processes related to bone health, Magnesium Breakthrough helps ensure optimal calcium levels, promote healthy bone processes, and support hormones involved in bone metabolism.

Athletic Performance and Training Recovery

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If you are an athlete, magnesium can be a crucial nutrient for athletic performance and training recovery.

Athletes, in particular, might be more at risk for magnesium deficiency because exercising bodies lose more through sweat and require more to fuel training. Intense exercise depletes magnesium because it is needed for ATP production, aka giving energy to your cells. Some even suggest that high-intensity exercise can increase the need for magnesium by up to 20% [67]

Magnesium helps support oxygen uptake into working muscles, energy production, and electrolyte balance - all important things when it comes to performing your best. In fact, low magnesium can decrease how efficiently your metabolism works during exercise, increasing heart rate and oxygen consumption [68]. Supplementing with magnesium can increase oxygen uptake and overall work capacity during exercise, and even benefit endurance performance [69]

Another benefit is a potential interaction with lactate - the substance that builds up during exercise and is linked to muscle fatigue. When supplemented, studies find magnesium can improve how much glucose is available in the brain and lower lactate production, helping improve endurance and energy levels during exercise [70].

Magnesium Breakthrough is Informed Sports Certified, which means every batch is tested free of prohibited substances. It can help you perform your best, by helping maintain an optimal magnesium status and availability, needed to support training and recovery.

Men’s Health

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Magnesium can be particularly helpful for men, especially during aging. This is because of the interaction between magnesium and testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone important for maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and overall health and well-being. One study found that supplementing magnesium was able to raise both free and total testosterone levels in just 4 weeks [71]

Studies find that magnesium not only influences testosterone levels but also influences IGF-1 secretion. IGF-1 helps promote cell growth, muscle and bone health, and regulate metabolic and tissue repair [72]. Combined, this might help balance anabolic and catabolic processes that get disrupted in older adults. 

Magnesium Breakthrough, taken at the recommended dose to provide 500 mg of magnesium, can help support all of these processes, helping optimize testosterone levels and support men's health across the lifecycle.

Are All Magnesium Supplements the Same?

Unfortunately, cheap magnesium supplements can be poorly absorbed and harsh on the gut. So, you could be getting less than 10% of what you pay for with these. Take more and it could send you straight to the bathroom.

Also, the more expensive forms of magnesium like glycinate and malate are actually ~14 - 20% elemental magnesium in weight. The remaining 80 - 86% of the weight are glycine and malate, respectively. If the label reports only 100 - 200 mg total ingredient per capsule, you’d need to take 10 - 20 capsules to get your recommended daily intake dose.

Magnesium Breakthrough contains 7 forms of magnesium that clinical studies have shown to be well absorbed. Also, each capsule contains 250 mg of elemental magnesium (not total ingredient weight). That means only 2 capsules exceed the recommended daily intake dose.

Many of our customers take more than 2 capsules, in the beginning, to correct long-term deficiencies and optimize their body’s magnesium levels.

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The Best Magnesium
Supplement For You and
Your Family

There are 3 reasons why nearly everyone who tries Magnesium Breakthrough can immediately feel the difference:

  • It’s well-absorbed.
  • It’s at an effective dose without swallowing an insane number of capsules.
  • It’s gentle on the gut and less likely to cause diarrhea.

We also have great-tasting Magnesium Breakthrough powders, now available in Sprouts and grocery stores nationwide. Click here to search for a physical store in the US near you.

What Are Some Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms?

Magnesium deficiency can manifest in many different ways, and many of the symptoms associated with magnesium deficiency can overlap with other conditions. Some of the most common symptoms related to magnesium deficiency include [73]:

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  • Muscle weakness
  • Muscle cramps and spasms
  • Mood changes
  • Suboptimal sleep
  • Suboptimal exercise recovery or training response
  • Too little or too much appetite
  • Suboptimal energy production
  • Weight gain or difficult weight loss, especially in the midsection
  • Hormone imbalances
  • Suboptimal heart health

Many of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency are non-specific, and may be related to other health conditions. It is always important to speak with your healthcare provider for proper evaluation prior to initiating any supplementation. Magnesium Breakthrough is not approved to treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease.

What Causes Magnesium Deficiency?

Multiple factors may contribute to magnesium deficiency, including underlying disorders, individual susceptibility, and lifestyle factors. Some common causes of magnesium deficiency include:

If you suspect magnesium deficiency, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment or supplementation.

What are BIOptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough Side Effects?

Magnesium is generally safe for most people when consumed within the recommended dosages. Excessive intake of magnesium may cause side effects in some individuals, including [76]:

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  • Digestive upsets, such as diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Indigestion
  • Lowered blood pressure
  • Muscle weakness
  • Irregular heart rhythm
  • Allergic reaction

It is important to follow the recommended dosages or consult with a healthcare provider prior to initiating any new supplement, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or medications that may interfere. While the likelihood and severity of adverse effects varies between individuals, it is important to discontinue supplementation if you begin to experience any, and seek medical attention if needed.

Where to Buy Magnesium Breakthrough?

Magnesium Breakthrough is available through bioptimizers.com, Amazon, and over 140 stores nationwide. To find a store near you, use our Store Locator

Magnesium Breakthrough is available as capsules and drinkable powders

Magnesium Breakthrough (Capsules)
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  • Provides 7 types of magnesium
  • 2 capsules provide 500 mg total elemental magnesium
  • Easy to travel 
  • Easy to dose in 250 mg increments
  • Contains cofactors to maximize magnesium absorption
Magnesium Breakthrough (Drink)
Magnesium Plus Magnesium Vitamin Cofactors
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  • Provides 8 types of magnesium
  • Each scope provides 325 mg of total elemental magnesium
  • Avoid swallowing pills
  • Easy to fine-tune dose by adjusting the amount of powder
  • Available in unflavored, banana mango spice, fruit punch, and raspberry lemonade flavors. 
  • Can be mixed into other beverages like punch and mocktails
  • Natural flavored and colors
  • Delicious and stevia-free, sweetened with katemfe
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