Adaptogenic drinks are becoming increasingly popular but what exactly are adaptogenic drinks? They are a sub category of functional drinks which means they are non-alcoholic, contain ingredients like herbs, vitamins, minerals, amino acids or added raw fruit or vegetables, which provide health benefits beyond their base nutritional value. They are drinks that provide a function as well as being a beverage!
Adaptogenic drinks contain one or more adaptogens. Adaptogenic herbs are a select group of herbs that have powerful properties to help our bodies cope with the stressors of modern life. The most thoroughly researched adaptogenic herbs are Panax Ginseng, American Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Eleuthro, Schisandra, Rhodiola, Shilajit, Rhaponticum and Cordyceps but other adaptogenic herbs have also been successfully used in traditional medicines for hundreds of years.
Taking regularly adaptogens have been shown to help our bodies by increasing our ability to resist stress and decreasing our sensitivity to stressors. For a detailed explanation of how this occurs in the body including diagrams head to this article - How Adaptogens Work.
Types of Adaptogenic Drinks
Along with this de-stressing ability, adaptogens have also been shown to have anti-fatigue, anti-depressive effects and have also been shown to stimulate your central nervous system and thereby enhance focus.
How can these little herbs do all these things? As their name suggests adaptogens help our bodies to adapt - they can help bring down what is high, eg cortisol when we are stressed and lift what is low, eg energy when we are feeling tired.
With adaptogens being able to assist with a number of functions there are different types of adaptogenic drinks on the market. Below are some of the key types and examples of sparkling adaptogenic drinks that are currently available on the Australian market.
Energy adaptogenic drinks
- Shine+ Charged - this drink from Shine+ contains natural nootropics, caffeine and Yerba Mate as the adaptogen. Yerba mate which is actually usually taken as a tea has shown that it can improve memory and attention, as well as focus
- Doctor V Siberian Rush - containing botanical extracts of Siberian pine, wild sea buckthorn, Siberian ginseng as the adaptogen, this drink is aimed to increase your energy.
Focus adaptogenic drinks
- Savvy brain boost drink - is designed to improve your mood and energise your mind. Along with caffeine it includes the powerful adaptogens ashwagandha, panax ginseng and rhodiola rosea.
- Vive think drink - a new adaptogenic drink to the market, Vive contains caffeine and the adaptogen panax gingseng. It has been created to spark clearer thought, improved focus and a brighter mood.
Relaxing adaptogenic drinks
And of course adaptogenic drinks can help you relax! Adapt Drinks Relax has been carefully crafted to create a sense of calm, naturally. The adaptogenic herbs in the Adapt Drinks Relax, schisandra berry and panax ginseng have been shown to have a calming effect and reduce stress.
