Bert Jukes to launch ‘healthy’ energy drink

By ERIKKA ASKELAND
Published on 09/03/2013 00:00

A “HEALTHY” energy drink concocted by Scottish entrepreneur Bert Jukes is due to be launched in more than 800 Tesco stores across the UK on Monday.

Little Big Shot is aimed at the £22 billion global market for energy drinks but without the high levels of caffeine, sugar, Taurine and additives featured in many current popular drinks.

Instead the drink is made of fruit juice, with added ginseng, B vitamins and folic acid, which makes it suitable for pregnant women and children over the age of seven. The canned drink also contains “deep ocean minerals”, which Jukes claims to be a “natural energy” source.

As well as Tesco, the drink is available in North America and the Middle East, with further markets in Europe being planned for launches this year.

Jukes, born in Wishaw, is also an author and a motivational speaker. He also distributes Lyprinol, an omega-3 supplement with anti-inflammatory properties derived from New Zealand green-lipped mussels, in Northern Ireland.

The serial entrepreneur became interested in the health industry when he set up a Glasgow-based dietary supplement company Best of Health in 2000. The low-carb diet plan, devised by an American nutritionist, became popular with sports stars such as Ian Botham and Sam Torrance. Prior to this Jukes helped to establish American telecoms carrier Euphony in the UK.

The firm behind Little Big Shot is based in Northern Ireland while the drink is manufactured in Austria. The firm also has plans to develop more products featuring deep ocean minerals, including confectionery and yoghurt.