Drinks with adaptogens are becoming more popular and accessible as awareness of their benefits grows. With this in mind, we’ve identified what adaptogens are and what you should know about them.
What are Adaptogen Drinks?
Adaptogen drinks are made from adaptogens, which are plants and mushrooms that can help the body respond to stress, anxiety, and fatigue. When adaptogens are consumed, they interact with stressors in the body.
These relaxing beverages are a great way to indulge in self-care because they can help improve overall mood, as well as reduce stress. Each of the different adaptogens in adaptogenic drinks has different benefits and can support the body in its own unique way. Adaptogens can:
- Boost energy
- Improve sleep quality
- Improve mood
Some adaptogen beverages have a bitter, earthy taste because they are made from natural ingredients. Natural sweeteners can help improve the taste.
5 Things to Know
As with anything, there is a lot of misinformation out there about drinks with adaptogens, so below, we have outlined five things for you to know.
How Long to Use?
Studies have shown that adaptogens work better for shorter durations because, eventually, the body will build resistance. However, those are studies that were conducted for adaptogen supplements, not drinks. The number of adaptogens is lower in adaptogenic drinks than in supplements, so there should really be no limit on how long to use them. You should start feeling the positive effects after a few days.
What Type to Use?
There are many different adaptogens available, and it can be challenging to determine which ones you should use. Which adaptogen you choose should ultimately depend on what you are trying to achieve.
- Stress and Anxiety: Ashwagandha and Tulsi are two common adaptogens to use for stress and anxiety. Tulsi has shown effectiveness in promoting focus and alleviating anxiety, and clinical trials have found it has the potential to diminish stress. Ashwagandha is known for its effects on stress, as it helps to control stress mediators.
- Fatigue: Rhodiola and ginseng both work to reduce fatigue. Rhodiola has been shown through research to significantly reduce fatigue. Ginseng has had many medicinal uses throughout the years, especially in Asia; both American ginseng and Asian ginseng have reduced fatigue levels through clinical trials.
- Immune Health: Tulsi also has immune health benefits; it helps to regulate the responses of the immune system, giving it a boost. Reishi mushrooms are a fungus adaptogen, and studies conducted with the adaptogen found that the count of white blood cells increased dramatically.
- Anti-Inflammatory: American ginseng also helps to relieve pain and reduce inflammation within the body.
Other adaptogens provide different benefits, so it’s important to conduct more research on them before making a decision. The best adaptogen drinks contain a cocktail of different adaptogens.
How Much to Take?
In terms of how much of an adaptogenic drink to consume, it depends. Most adaptogenic drink brands will include an ingredient list, as well as the recommended serving size. It’s recommended to follow the serving size listed on your adaptogenic beverage.
Each drink has different dosages of different adaptogens, so check the label to see how much of an adaptogen is within the drink.
If you are consuming adaptogenic drinks because of a recommendation by a health professional, then it is suggested that you check in with that health professional to see how much of the drink you should consume.
How do Adaptogens Work?
Adaptogens interact with the hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal glands along the HPA axis. This axis is a system of hormones, glands, and receptors that are central to homeostasis, energy metabolism, and stress responses.
Through consumption, the organic properties and compounds of the adaptogens work with this axis to balance our system. If there isn’t enough of a hormone, the adaptogens can help replenish it, and vice versa.
There is also research that shows adaptogens interact with the immune and endocrine systems, which suggests that adaptogens also can help the body regulate energy and maintain immune defenses.
Are They Effective?
Because adaptogenic drinks are still fairly new, there are some questions about their effectiveness. Adaptogens and drinks derived from them, through research, have shown to be effective and encourage health benefits. However, it is important to remember that they are not meant to act in place of medicine. Adaptogenic drinks can help boost energy levels and alleviate stress, but it only manages the symptoms of these problems, not the root.
Adaptogen drinks are relaxing drinks, and consuming adaptogens and nootropic drinks are a simple way to start managing your health.
