If you’ve been in a drink aisle lately, you’ve likely noticed the explosion of wellness drinks from probiotic sodas to kombucha and everything in between. While functional beverages can contain a variety of health-focused ingredients like probiotics or vitamins, nootropics, adaptogens, and bitters are also making their way into wellness beverages, promising stress reduction, mental clarity, and more. But what do these terms actually mean, and do these ingredients really work?
Here we’ll explore the basics of adaptogens, nootropics, and bitters and their purpose in functional wellness drinks.
What Is a Functional Beverage?
Functional beverages are drinks formulated with ingredients that have specific health benefits, like supporting the immune system, digestion, and more. Sports drinks, probiotic drinks, and herbal drinks. Not all functional beverages are created equal; drinks can still be formulated with sugars, preservatives, or other ingredients that don’t align with health benefits.
Adaptogens: Stress Support & Balance
What Are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens are plants or fungi that help protect the body from the negative effects of stress. If this seems like a rather general explanation, it's because it is. Adaptogens aren’t one specific compound, and they don’t behave in one specific way in the body. Rather, adaptogens contain a variety of phytochemicals that work together to benefit a linkage of systems in the body, such as metabolism, the nervous system, and the plethora of enzymes and biomarkers that help the body maintain homeostasis in times of stress.
Who Should Use Adaptogens?
Adaptogens may benefit anyone who is experiencing stress, whether it be physical or mental. In traditional herbalism, adaptogens are often used to treat digestive issues, immune system support, joint pain, low energy, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and to support aging and longevity.
Adaptogens Used In Rasāsvāda
- Schisandra berry
- Ginseng
- Reishi mushroom
- Maqui berry
Nootropics: Brain & Cognitive Support
What Are Nootropics?
Nootropics is a term used to describe natural or synthetic substances that positively impact cognitive function. Nootropics are sometimes referred to as “smart drugs” because of their positive effect on the brain. They can be pharmaceuticals, herbs, or even some foods.
Researchers are still figuring out how certain nootropics benefit brain function. So far, the scientists have discovered several different ways that nootropics work in the body. Some act as antioxidants, lowering brain inflammation, while others influence brain chemicals involved in relaxation, such as GABA, or increase brain oxygen levels.
Benefits of Nootropics Include Improved:
- Focus
- Alertness
- Thinking
- Memory
Who Should Use Nootropics?
Pharmaceutical nootropics are prescribed to treat certain cognitive conditions like ADHD or Alzheimer's. Certain herbal nootropics may benefit healthy adults who are looking for cognitive support, like improved focus and alertness. Some herbs and supplements can have side effects, especially at certain doses, so always talk to your doctor before adding supplements to your routine.
Nootropics Used in Rasāsvāda
- L-theanine
- Ginseng
- Reishi mushroom
- Yunnan pu’er tea
Nootropics vs. Adaptogens
Although nootropics and adaptogens are two distinct categories, some ingredients fall under both definitions. Panax ginseng is one example. It may support memory and thinking while also acting as an adaptogen to combat stress-related fatigue. The beneficial compounds in plants can also have cascading effects, supporting one area of health, which in turn supports the whole system.
Bitters: Digestive and Metabolism Support
What Are Bitters?
Bitters are concentrated botanicals used to add an intense bitter flavor to beverages— usually alcohol based ones, but not by definition. Aside from adding a complexity of flavor to beverages, bitters are also linked to a variety of health benefits. The compounds that are responsible for bitter taste include various terpenoids (found in citrus fruits), polyphenols, and alkaloids (found in coffee).
Some of the benefits of bitters come from the bitter taste receptors located in the mouth, stomach, intestines, pancreas, and even lungs. When bitter compounds bind to these receptors, it triggers changes in the body that lead to regulated digestion and increased respiratory defences.
Health Benefits of Bitters
- Blood sugar regulation
- Support healthy blood pressure
- Provide neuroprotective effects
- Balance inflammation
Who Should Use Bitters?
Anyone can benefit from bitters, especially bitters that are free from alcohol. Bitter flavors are often an acquired taste, but are also a great way to open your taste buds to complex flavors and a unique tasting experience.
Bitters Used in Rasāsvāda
- Black ginger
- Chincona bark
- Bergamot
- Yuzu peel
How Do I Pick a Functional Beverage?
There are a few things to consider when choosing a functional beverage— especially with the boom of health drinks on the market, the decision can feel overwhelming. Start by assessing your health goals and selecting a beverage that supports your needs. Are you looking to improve your immune system, stress levels, support longevity, or something different?
It's also important to consider the ingredient list. Try to avoid added sugars, preservatives, or other ingredients that aren’t working to support your health.
Rasāsvāda’s restorative beverages are made with 100% plants. No added sugars or preservatives. Plus, it's the only drink that’s rooted in ancient herbal traditions and is tested by longevity scientists.
Are Functional Beverages Effective?
Nootropics, bitters, and adaptogens are not the only ingredients that can be found in functional beverages, but the botanicals and herbs that fall into these categories are based on traditional medicine and sometimes modern research too. Their effectiveness will depend on many factors, like the type of herb or botanical, the amount, how they are harvested, etc.
Learn more about the science behind the ingredients used at Rasāsvāda.
Zero-proof Rasāsvāda combines cutting-edge longevity science with expertly sourced herbs, adaptogens, and functional mushrooms. Discover the transformative power of adaptogens and experience a new way to drink—one that nourishes both body and mind.
100% plants. 0% preservatives.
Sources
Foods | Bitter Perception and Effects of Foods Rich in Bitter Compounds on Human Health: A Comprehensive Review
Frontiers in Pharmacology | Herbal Bitters in Routine Integrative Care: A Real-World Prescription Database Study from a Swiss Hospital
American Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Development | A Review on Herbal Bitters and Their Therapeutic Effects