Data-Driven Smoothie Launches in Los Angeles

Cult grocer Erewhon and startup Function have launched a $25 beverage marketed as “The World’s Healthiest Smoothie?” in Los Angeles. The companies state the product is backed by 160 lab tests, signaling a shift in wellness dining toward data transparency and personalized nutrition over generic health claims.

- The smoothie's 20-ingredient recipe was formulated by Function's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mark Hyman, to address nutritional gaps identified from the lab tests of Function's members. Data from nearly 500,000 users revealed that 65% have high insulin levels and 54% have elevated ApoB, a marker for cardiovascular risk. Ingredients like green banana, chia, flaxseed, and a single-ingredient plant protein from chocho beans are included to support metabolic balance and cardiovascular health. - This collaboration reflects a larger shift in the luxury market away from conspicuous consumption and toward significant investments in health and longevity. High-net-worth individuals are increasingly prioritizing preventative health measures, personalized genomic medicine, and advanced wellness strategies like biohacking to enhance their quality of life. - The partnership aligns with the "quiet luxury" movement, which values understated quality, authenticity, and personalization over overt branding. In hospitality, this trend translates to anticipating guest needs, offering discreet service, and creating unique, immersive local experiences, a philosophy that extends to data-driven, personalized food and beverage offerings. - Function Health, valued at over $2 billion, provides members with access to over 160 lab tests for an annual fee of $365, significantly more than the 26 biomarkers typically checked in an annual physical. The company has also expanded into preventative imaging by acquiring AI-enhanced MRI provider Ezra. - Erewhon, which started as a 200-square-foot health food stall in Boston in 1966, has cultivated a reputation as an ultra-luxury grocer and a cultural icon in Los Angeles. The brand is known for its viral, high-priced celebrity smoothie collaborations, such as the $20 Hailey Bieber smoothie. - Each smoothie bottle includes a QR code offering a $25 discount on a Function membership, strategically converting retail foot traffic into subscribers for its digital health platform. This model merges a consumer product with a long-term health data service, extending customer lifetime value beyond a single purchase. - The move toward hyper-personalization is a dominant trend in luxury hospitality, where hotels and restaurants use detailed guest data to anticipate needs and customize everything from menus to in-room amenities. Michelin-starred restaurants, for example, increasingly use CRM systems to track guest preferences for wine, dietary restrictions, and dining history to create a highly tailored experience.

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