Prebiotic Karviva drinks offer
wellness in every sip.

What happens when ancient Chinese healing art philosophies are embraced by a pathologist who is passionate about healthy living? In Angela Zeng’s case, a thriving wellness drink business was created.

Established in 2017, Angela’s St. Louis-based company, Fulfill Food and Beverages, makes, packages, and distributes Karviva. Karviva is a unique line of all-natural, plant-based drinks that are low in sugar and calories. These beverages are tailored to address specific health objectives, such as detoxing the body of unwanted chemicals or providing an energy boost.

Karviva is derived from combining the Buddhist term “karuna,” which means compassion, with the Italian word “viva,” meaning long live or longevity. Karviva offers six different beverages designed to help individuals tackle a range of health challenges, from building the body’s natural immunity to improving gut health. In a market that can be fairly competitive, Angela says Kar viva stands out because the brand’s products are based on a combination of the ancient Far East philosophy of healing and science-based knowledge.

“The fundamental difference is the philosophy behind Karviva: traditional Chinese medicine and the deep understanding of holistic healing wisdom backed by modern science,” says Angela, who has a doctorate in pathology and many years of experience in medical research, pharmaceuticals, and food science.

As a little girl, Angela, who was born in China and came to St. Louis to attend college, was fascinated with the study of traditional Chinese healing arts and science dating back thousands of years. After obtaining her doctorate, she offered consulting assistance to family friends who owned one of the nation’s top juice concentrate companies. As part of that experience, she became aware of the excessive amount of sugar found in juices and the waste associated with making the concentrate. This led to her quest to develop a healthier juice alternative.

“I didn’t invent any of this,” Angela says. “I basically inherited the knowledge from my family roots as well as our eastern culture.”

Angela sources ingredients for her beverages both locally and from around the globe. Karviva’s varied drink lineup is made from more than 35 whole, nutrient-rich fruits and plants, superfoods, and foods containing antioxidants. The wide range of ingredients that go into Karviva drinks runs the gamut from apples to quinoa to seabuckthorn. Monk fruit and mung beans are also key components, with monk fruit providing sweetness and mung beans adding protein, Vitamin B, and detoxing elements.

Some of these ingredients can make people wonder about the taste, but customer reviews indicate that Karviva’s drinks are flavorful and refreshing. Consumers also report feelings of improved health and less reliance on prescription medicines when using the drinks. Though Karviva’s drinks and Angela herself have won many awards, Angela still considers Karviva a small brand. Karviva’s healthy libations are made to order in what Angela calls a streamlined manufacturing facility in St. Louis. Batches can range from 600 to 10,000 bottles, depending on the demand.

“I’m a tiny drop of water in this big ocean,” Angela says. “What I really try to do is inspire people and help them understand the philosophy behind Karviva and their relationship with nature. Once they understand that, they will choose the right foods and lifestyle.”

For those new to wellness beverages, Angela recommends starting with Karviva’s Detox drink that comes in an assortment of flavors. The company also offers a six-bottle variety pack and recently unveiled a new health drink called Unwined, which looks and tastes like wine but does not contain alcohol. Unwind, as well as other Karviva beverages, can be found at Schnucks grocery store. As for her plans in 2025, Angela is fast at work on yet another Karviva beverage that is expected to launch in January.