From Ancient Roots to National Recognition: Dr. Angela Zeng’s Wellness Vision Wins Big

Most energy drinks are designed to rev you up, not heal you. They push harder, faster, louder, but rarely better. In a market where flashy promises often overpower real nourishment, one wellness brand is making a different kind of noise.

Karviva, founded by Dr. Angela Zeng, didn’t start in a Silicon Valley boardroom or a trendy wellness lab. Its roots go deeper into ancient traditions, scientific rigor, and a mother’s desire to reimagine energy itself. Dr. Zeng, who holds a Ph.D. in pathology and an MBA, blends Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern nutritional science, delivering drinks that nourish as much as they energize.

Karviva’s recent win of the 2025 ECRM Buyer’s Choice Award for its Energy Juice line marks a defining moment, not just for the brand but for a growing movement of consumers who are rejecting synthetic solutions in favor of something more holistic. This honor, awarded by a national network of retail buyers, celebrates innovation, purpose, and consumer relevance, and Karviva’s functional beverages check all three boxes.

But what really sets Karviva apart is its intention. The Energy Juices were not just created to fill a gap in the market; they were born from a personal problem and a professional pursuit. Dr. Zeng’s daughter, a teenage athlete and artist, struggled with the side effects of conventional energy drinks, jitters, fogginess, and crashes. Drawing from her own deep roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine and years of research, Dr. Zeng co-developed the line with her daughter, blending plant-based nutrients, green coffee beans, adaptogens like ginseng, and sesame-derived minerals. The result? A clean-label juice that supports focus, stamina, hydration, and gut health, without the spike-and-crash rollercoaster.

Karviva’s rise also reflects a shift in how younger consumers, especially Millennials and Gen Z, approach wellness. These groups are demanding more from their beverages: clean ingredients, functional benefits, transparency, and real-world results. Karviva delivers all of that, wrapped in a refreshing low-sugar format that tastes good and feels better.

The Energy Juices have seen strong repeat purchase behavior since their launch, especially among parents who feel safe choosing Karviva for their teens and college-age kids. Retailers have taken notice, too. Buyers consistently highlight the product’s uniqueness, not just in formulation but in brand story. Karviva is not about chasing trends. It’s about honoring traditions, backed by science, and delivered with care.

Dr. Zeng’s approach to product development also stands in stark contrast to many competitors. While most brands lean into overstimulation, Karviva leans into balance. Each ingredient is selected for a reason: green coffee beans for antioxidant-rich chlorogenic acid, ginseng for adrenal health, and sesame minerals for hydration and nutrient replenishment. Every bottle is a reflection of her belief that “food is better medicine™”, a philosophy she has lived by since immigrating to the U.S. in 1996.

The recognition from ECRM adds fuel to Karviva’s mission. Over the next few months, the brand plans to expand its Energy Juices into more national retailers, including Stop & Shop and Ross, grow its e-commerce reach, and introduce new functional SKUs. Educational campaigns around adrenal health, detox, and recovery are also in the works, cementing Karviva’s role not just as a product but as a wellness resource.

Behind the science and strategy is a simple human truth: real wellness comes from listening. Listening to your body. Listening to your culture. Listening to what people actually need. That’s what Karviva has done, and continues to do.

As the demand for thoughtful, restorative energy solutions grows, Dr. Angela Zeng and Karviva are not just leading the category; they are reshaping it. Not by shouting louder, but by standing firmer in their values, their heritage, and their commitment to helping people feel whole from the inside out.