The Green Scene
Adaptogens are becoming a staple in wellness foods and drinks BY MERRY LYCETT HARRISON
COURTESY PHOTO
Stress Busters
34 Devour Utah • april 2020
COURTESY PHOTO
COURTESY PHOTO
F
eeling tired, anxious and worn down by stress? Having trouble sleeping? Is your digestion off? Well, step out of the supplement aisle and into the food aisles, because food “adaptogens” may be just what the (herb) doctor ordered. Adaptogens are plants that help you adapt to stress without needing to rely on caffeine, sugar, processed snacks and energy bars. Herbs such as ginseng, ashwagandha, rhodiola, maca, licorice and mushrooms like reishi, miatake and shiitaki increase resistance to stressors and improve energy levels. In addition, they’re thought to boost the immune system, relieve anxiety and mild depression, strengthen the nervous system, improve cognitive function and increase libido. Whole Foods sells a variety of new wellness beverages from Rebbl Sparkling Prebiotic Tonic with ginger, turmeric, lemon and cayenne to Suja Blood Orange Bitters Kombucha, Good Culture Probiotic Gut Shot (technically kefir) and Rebbl Gold Label Elixir chocolatey mushroom drink. The Vive Organic brand uses adaptogens and prints a novel, neoteric stamp on each bottle that reads “Doctor Crafted,” referring to a team of doctors with whom they work to craft the formulas. They sell 2-ounce shots in Immunity Boost (original, cayenne and elderberry), Wellness Rescue and Antioxidant Detox blends. In London, Starbucks offers a new Turmeric Latte, and even Coke and Pepsi have their R&D departments analyzing future potential of adaptogens. Food and snacks with adaptogens are certainly on display at natural products trade shows such as Expo West, where retailers go to see what’s coming in the industry. As drinks are more marketable, it makes sense that the ingredients are showing up there. A number of Salt Lake local businesses have joined the adaptogen bandwagon: Vive Juicery (1597 S. 1100 East, SLC, 801-875-8923, ViveJuicery.com) infuses its line of healthy drinks, shots and elixirs with spices and herbs, Brass Smoothies (BrassSmoothies.com) in the 9th and 9th neighborhood offers both signature additives as well as adaptogen blends and Chocolate Conspiracy (EatChocolateConspiracy.com) has already blended the beneficial herbs rooibos and maca into their highquality bars. There are, however, a few concerns with this trend. Some herbs are meant to be used short term while other tonic herbs may be consumed long term to gain their benefit. And if there is only a dusting or drop of the adaptogenic herb(s) combined with the food or beverage, the therapeutic effects cannot be assured. It is doubtful that occasional snacking on these products will produce desired results. Reading the over-the-top benefits of these herbs online make them seem like the answer to everything from weight loss to erectile dysfunction. If only… They do however offer subtle, welcome shifts to overall well-being, stamina, outlook and even memory. The point is, when you feel better, you do better. A good night’s sleep, improved digestion, less reactivity to stress and more energy all serve to support you in being at your best. More than a trend, the recent inclusion of adaptogens in foods and beverages is an evolution toward increasing sensible, helpful and healthful food options for consumers. ❖
