Colourful cans promising calm, focus and energy have become staples in supermarket aisles, as functional drinks surge in popularity. Packed with ingredients like ashwagandha, lion’s mane mushrooms, L-theanine and magnesium, these beverages tap into wellness culture and the growing shift away from alcohol, especially among younger generations.
But how effective are they really?
Experts say the evidence is mixed. “Ashwagandha and L-theanine have shown benefits in randomised trials, particularly for stress and attention,” says Nicolle Cucco, a registered dietitian. “Magnesium is well studied too, but supplementation only helps if you’re deficient. If your levels are normal, more isn’t likely to make a difference.”
That hasn’t stopped the market booming. Brands like TRIP, known for its pastel cans and CBD-infused recipes, have helped commercialise what was once the realm of teas and herbal remedies. Yet some claims are under scrutiny: this summer, the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority banned a TRIP advert that implied its drinks could reduce stress and anxiety, ruling such promises unsubstantiated.
Part of the appeal may lie in expectation. “The placebo effect is powerful,” Cucco adds. “Believing a drink will help you relax can genuinely alter how your brain perceives stress.”
Social media and influencer culture have further fuelled the hype, making functional drinks appear as quick fixes for complex issues. But dietitians warn they are no substitute for proper treatment of conditions like anxiety or ADHD.
For most people, sipping these wellness beverages isn’t harmful—apart from the cost, with packs of TRIP reaching nearly €30—but experts urge consumers to look past the branding. “Some ingredients may be beneficial, others less so,” Cucco says. “Understanding what you’re putting into your body is the wisest approach.”
