Drinks that make you chill - do they really do what it says on the tin?

Many people today are looking for ways to relax, and drinks that promise to help you chill out are becoming more popular. Companies are advertising beverages that claim to make you feel calm and relaxed after just a few sips. Friends Lucy and Serena are fans of these drinks. They both have busy lives, balancing work, raising young children, and trying to stay healthy. Serena says, 'These drinks won't solve all my problems, but if they give me a little boost, I'm happy. ' Lucy finds them helpful when she feels overwhelmed, saying, 'If I start to feel anxious, a drink like Trip helps me get back on track. '

However, there are questions about whether these drinks really work as well as the companies claim. Nutritionists and dietitians are skeptical that the small amounts of supplements in these drinks can actually make people feel calm. One psychologist suggests that people might feel relaxed simply because they take time for themselves and enjoy a treat, not because of the drink's ingredients.

The market for 'functional beverages' is growing quickly. In the UK, sales of these drinks have increased by almost 25% in the past year, and nearly 30% of households now buy them. These drinks often contain ingredients like Lion's Mane mushroom, L-theanine from tea, Ashwagandha herb, and magnesium. These supplements are said to improve mood, boost energy, help with thinking, and reduce stress. But the evidence is mixed. Some studies suggest these ingredients might help, but others do not show strong results.

One company, Trip, was criticized for advertising that its drinks could help with stress and anxiety. The Advertising Standards Agency said Trip's claims went too far, and the company had to change its website. Trip says it is confident that its ingredients allow it to use the word 'calm,' which is common among many brands.

Dietitian Reema Patel is concerned that the amount of supplements in these drinks is too small to really help people feel calm or less stressed. She points out that research on Lion's Mane mushroom is still new and not conclusive. Also, many studies do not include enough women, which makes it harder to know if the drinks work for everyone.

Some people use these drinks as an alternative to alcohol to help them unwind. Reema Patel says this can be a good option for some people. Dr Sinead Roberts, a performance nutritionist, says supplements can help certain groups, like athletes or people who lack a specific nutrient, but not the general population. She advises that if you enjoy the taste, go ahead and drink them, but if you want to reduce stress and anxiety, you might be better off spending your money on something else, like therapy or a massage.

Emily May, who works in a coffee shop, says older customers are interested in wellness drinks. She first tried them at a music festival and likes the taste, but does not think they help her feel calm. She says, 'I'm ADHD, so I would need a lot more than one of those drinks to calm me down. '

There is a fine line between advertising a drink as something that helps you feel calm and claiming it can treat mental health problems. Psychologist Natasha Tiwari says that sometimes people feel better because they take time to enjoy the drink and the calming branding, not because of the ingredients. She explains, 'You sit down, enjoy the drink, and have a calm moment in your busy day. That's real. '

For Lucy and Serena, these drinks offer a brief moment of peace, even if the science does not fully support the claims. They enjoy the small treat and the chance to relax, whether or not the ingredients are truly effective.