Trendy specialty drinks are hitting store shelves promising all sorts of health benefits. Claims can be found for juices, energy drinks, milk, tea, coffee, mocktails, and other beverages. Some of the functions they claim to provide are more energy, improved digestive health, weight management, immunity, improved memory, relaxation, and more. But are they true? And are they safe? Below you’ll find information on some of the buzzwords you’ll see and what they mean.
Adaptogens
Stress is a hot topic these days, and it should be since it can affect various aspects of our health if not managed. Adaptogens come from Ayurvedic medicine and sold as natural substances that are thought to help the body handle stress, improve concentration, focus, and memory.
Adaptogens include ingredients like Ashwagandha, Schisandra, L-theanine, Ginko, Reishi mushrooms, terpenes and Myrcene. Various studies have found that plant-originated adaptogens can play an important role in health, however, use in health-promoting products is still under inspection.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Beverages surrounding gut health are very popular and are sold with the intention to improve the healthy bacteria in the gut while others are moving more towards brain health and immunity. For many of these drinks, they are so new, no scientific research has been done to verify if they really work.
Collagen
These beverages claim to improve hair, nails, skin, and joints. Some research has shown a small benefit to consuming these products, while other research doesn’t. More studies are needed to determine if drinking collagen can directly benefit production in the body.
Buyer Beware
The benefits of these types of beverages have not yet been proven. Functional ingredient amounts are also usually low and some nutrients may not be absorbed by the body in the way they are delivered. Additionally, these beverages are not well controlled or regulated. This means the quality and amount of these ingredients is not guaranteed.
Most importantly, some of these ingredients may interact with certain medications and/or can cause side effects. Before drinking any of these products, speak with your healthcare provider to determine if these are safe for you.