Smart sips: beverages that support mental wellbeing
O ver the past year, we’ve explored the rising popularity of functional beverages among consumers today (check out our Drinking in the Benefits and Functional Beverages articles for reference). In particular, beverages supporting mental wellbeing are emerging as a powerful niche within the category—and it’s easy to understand why. “Taking care of my mental health” is one of the top-growing, top-of-mind consumer health goals.1 So we thought we’d take a closer look at some of the specific attributes consumers desire when seeking out these cerebrally satisfying beverages.
Mental wellness comes in many forms
Given today’s hectic lifestyles, finding products that can provide mood enhancement/stress relief is clearly a priority. As a result, botanical-based ingredients known as adaptogens are gaining popularity in beverages. These substances can help your body adjust or “adapt” to stress by supporting hormonal balance and promoting resilience. Here are a few of the most popular:
Turmeric
A plant that belongs to the ginger family. Its benefits include mood improvement, cognitive function support and stress alleviation.
Ashwagandha
An herb that is known to relieve stress and anxiety. It may also help improve cognition and memory.
Maca
A root plant that contains flavonoids, which are thought to improve mood and reduce anxiety.
But consumers are now moving beyond mood enhancement also, seeking functional ingredients that support their cognitive health and help improve their concentration. Several options are available to help in this regard as well.
Ginseng
An herb that is rich in antioxidants and may offer benefits for brain health and immune function.
Ginkgo biloba
An herbal supplement thought to improve memory, learning ability and reaction time.
Lion’s Mane mushroom
A type of nootropic, meaning it contains compounds that may improve brain health and function.
How to bring these benefits to your menu
You might consider using these ingredients as add-ins for smoothies, teas, lattes and more to create offerings that promise a mental boost as much as great flavor. And for an even easier way to add these types of beverages to your menu, PepsiCo Partners is ready to help.
We offer a great variety of the kind of brain-boosting beverages your customers are sure to love. Rockstar® Focus has zero sugar, packs 200 mg of caffeine and is made with Lion’s Mane for enhanced focus (a recent study showed that 64% of consumers are more likely to purchase a focus proposition with Lion’s Mane2). Meanwhile, CELSIUS® Essentials features a proprietary MetaPlus® formula and essential aminos, providing an unbeatable combination of enhanced physical performance and cognitive benefits.
Take full advantage of the trend
If you’re looking for even further confirmation of the demand for beverages that promote mental wellbeing, consider this: studies show that consumers are willing to pay a premium for functional drinks, particularly those targeting stress, anxiety and cognitive function.3 Adding products from PepsiCo Partners that fit the bill is a smart way to help boost your bottom line.
Sources:
1Datassential 2024 Trends Report
2Energy A&U, Rockstar Focus Concept Testing 2023 – Rockstar Consumers
3Beverage Industry, “Beverage-makers work to provide cognitive support, energy,” January 2024
