Alcohol might be the original functional drink; after all, it certainly has certain effects on the mood of the drinker. But as more people give up alcohol because of its harmful health effects, new types of supposedly mind-altering drinks are taking their place. Sometimes called euphoric or adaptogenic drinks, these drinks contain a cocktail of herbal and plant-based ingredients, from ginseng to cannabidiol (CBD) and more, and make claims about increasing mental alertness and energy or help you relax.
They stand out with attractive packaging and equally spectacular marketing: one brand is called Psychedelic Water and has an iridescent label, but do they really have the mind-blowing powers they claim to have? We asked the experts to weigh in on whether these new drinks are actually healthy or not, and what you should know before trying them.
What are adaptogens?
Adaptogens are nothing new. The term was first coined in 1947 by Nikolay Vasilievich Lazarev, MD, a Soviet and Russian scientist and toxicologist. according to the European Medicines Agency. The name is apt: it refers to herbs and other plant materials that help the human body adapt to stress. Uma Naidoo, MDdirector of nutritional and lifestyle psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and author of This is Your Brain on Food, describes adaptogens as nutritional buffers for the body.
“They can improve physiological processes toward homeostasis, balance, over time, or as the body ‘adapts,'” says Dr. Naidoo. “Many people turn to adaptogens as a more natural way of manage ailments such as stress, fatigue and lack of sleep.”
You probably already know some adaptogens. Many have been used for thousands of years. The native Asian plant ginseng, for example, has long been used for various health purposes in Chinese and Korean cultures, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).
“Although adaptogens have been used in Eastern medicine for a long time, it’s a new way of saying ‘dietary supplement’ in American parlance,” he says. Debbie Petitpain, RDN, South Carolina media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and CEO of Synergy Health Tech. “A lot of us need all the help we can get to feel more energetic, less stressed, not so grumpy or grumpy. Getting a product on the shelf that will do that is very attractive to the consumer.”
Enter the adaptogenic sparkling waters. Brands like drama, recessi Aura Bora all offer sparkling waters with herbal blends that provide natural flavors and potential health benefits.
What are some adaptogenic ingredients?
The NCCIH lists dozens of herbs that have been shown to have positive health effects. Some of the more popular botanicals include:
hemp Not marijuana, which, while gaining legality in many states, is still illegal to sell or use at the federal level. Here, we’re talking about cannabis with little or no tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC (that’s the part that gives you a high). Cannabis has been used for thousands of years for a variety of health problems, including rheumatoid arthritis, some cancers, and sleep disorders. A review published in Molecules in 2020 noted that most of the research into the health benefits of industrial hemp has been conducted under preclinical conditions and called for more research into the benefits of hemp for medical and nutritional purposes.
CBD One of over 100 compounds identified in the cannabis plant, CBD is a newcomer to the adaptogen scene. It’s the main compound in cannabis that doesn’t get you high, though research has shown which can reduce anxiety (albeit at a much higher dose than you’d get in a 12-ounce can of sparkling water) and improve sleep. The first wave of CBD researchThe potential health benefits of have been around since the 1960s. Since then, research has grown, but more is still needed, especially in humans.
Is adding isolated CBD to a drink more beneficial than adding whole hemp extract? That’s hard to say, says Petitpain. “Is it better for your body in general to eat the carrot or just the beta-carotene in the carrot?” she asks “Research in this area is still emerging, whether it’s carrots and beta-carotene or CBD and hemp. We don’t know yet.”
It is also important to know that CBD products used as dietary supplements, such as CBD seltzers, are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many of these products on the market have been found to contain much less CBD than they claim, prompting warnings from the FDA.
Other popular adaptogens include:
Ashwagandha This long-used shrub, sometimes called Indian ginseng, has been shown to reduce anxiety in adults, they say some research.turmeric Naidoo says this “recent media darling” contains one compound, curcumin, at least a study has found that it can help the body regulate cortisol levels, which helps modulate stress. others studies have shown that turmeric shows promise in reducing inflammation in people with ulcerative colitis.Kava Emerging in popularity is the Piper methysticum plant, also known as kava. It has been used for thousands of years, and the NCCIH notes that studies have shown it has an effect on reducing anxiety, although other health benefits need to be further studied, as well as potential risks. Kava use has been linked to headaches, digestive problems, dizziness and liver damage. Research published in Nutrients in 2020 concluded that the way the plant is harvested and used needs to be standardized to accurately measure its effect, and more research is needed to better understand how kava works in the human body.
In addition to adaptogens, some of these drinks and supplements also claim benefits from probiotics (beneficial bacteria already in the gut) and prebiotics (the carbohydrates in plant fibers that help probiotic bacteria thrive). Adaptogens don’t affect your gut microbiome, but these herbs, mushrooms, and other plants claim to have an effect on your mood or mind. They may also offer other health benefits, but they are not bacteria-centric.
What are the risks of adaptogenic drinks?
There is a tendency to regard adaptogens as safer than prescription drugs, even if they are not also regulated and, according to the NCCIH“Research has shown that these products carry the same dangers as other pharmacologically active compounds.”
Some previous research has found that certain adaptogens can interfere with certain medications. The NCCIH notes, however, that there hasn’t been much research on the interactions of common herbs and prescription drugs, so these claims have not been proven to be a widespread concern.
Still, if you take any prescription medications, it’s best to talk to your primary care provider or a registered dietitian before adding adaptogens to your diet.
It is also important to remember that these are beverages, so they are not regulated like medication. They are food, which means they are safe to consume, but they are not guaranteed to provide the health benefits they claim.
When considering CBD or hemp drinks, Petitpain notes that not everyone reacts the same way to these adaptogens. “The problem right now is that there’s a wide variety of reactions,” he says.
And adaptogenic sparkling water can be expensive: upwards of $2 per can, or nearly $5 per can (or more) when it includes CBD. “It’s better to spend that money on food, like fruit and vegetables,” says Petitpain. “A gym membership or even a nutritionist or psychologist may be a better use of those dollars.”
Should I try adaptogen drinks?
Unless your doctor notices a potential interaction with one of your medications, there’s probably no harm in trying these fizzy drinks. They are not a substitute for a healthy diet, but sparkling water itself is hydrating. Think of them as a supplement to a healthy lifestyle, not a replacement for one.