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If you’ve strolled through a trendy grocery store lately, you’ve likely encountered a row of vibrantly hued canned beverages from brands you’ve probably never heard of. These drinks flaunt botanical ingredients like elderberry or mushrooms prominently displayed on the label, promising to calm, energize, or enhance focus. Don’t fret—Pepsi and Coke aren’t undergoing a makeover. These cans belong to the realm of adaptogen drinks, a popular type of fizzy beverage approved by health enthusiasts, packed with herbs and designed to soothe your body and mind.
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While these ingredients have been integral to Chinese medicine for centuries, the term “adaptogen” didn’t surface in the scientific world until the 1940s, thanks to a scientist from the USSR. For something to be classified as an adaptogen, it must meet three criteria: It must aid the body in combating physical or mental stress, help return the body to a state of balance (homeostasis), and not disrupt normal bodily functions.
How do adaptogens work? Well, according to Healthline, these herbs essentially “hack” your body’s stress response, stabilizing your hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal glands. Essentially, if you’re in fight-or-flight mode, sipping on this elixir can bring you back to a state of normalcy, free from stress.
In addition to their stress-reducing properties, adaptogens have also been found to have anti-fatigue and anti-depressive effects. They can even stimulate your central nervous system, making those claims of heightened focus more plausible than you might think.
While there isn’t an abundance of data on adaptogen drinks, a 2010 study discovered that adaptogens could increase mental clarity, improve lung function, and alleviate symptoms of fatigue and exhaustion. Another study in 2018 found that adaptogens could close your adrenal gland to reduce the release of stress hormones when you’re overwhelmed and increase cortisol production to relieve stress and aid sleep.
With Dry January gaining popularity and becoming part of many 2023 resolutions, why not opt for an adaptogenic drink instead of a glass of wine?
So, what are the best adaptogen drinks available? There are plenty to choose from, each with its own unique purposes, flavors, and ingredient lists. Whether you’re seeking a non-alcoholic beverage or delving into the world of adaptogens to alleviate stress, anxiety, or improve sleep, you’re bound to find a beverage that suits your needs.
Below, we’ve rounded up the top adaptogen drinks for stress relief, tranquility, sleep, and energy.