The emergence of adaptogenic food and beverages
When Steve Jobs was dying of cancer, he wrote a list of things he had learned about life. One of them was: “Eat your food as your medicine. Otherwise, you have to eat medicine as your food.”
Sadly, Aerated drinks and junk food have become a constant in our everyday life. As someone commented, “In a fast paced, computer generated technological foray to outpace the competition, life has turned into a fusion – a deadly combustion. The time to pull back to smell the roses is a thing of the past”. This is where fast food, such as aerated drinks and junk food - characterized by a high intake of saturated and omega-6 fatty acids, reduced omega-3 fat intake, an overuse of salt and too much refined sugar, have become a constant way of life for today’s generation.
Whilst we appreciate the nutritional qualities of food, it is heartening to note that recent findings reveal the hidden power of certain edible plants and mushrooms to help the body combat stress, anxiety, and fatigue - due to the presence of active ingredients known as “adaptogens”.
Adaptogens were first developed and studied during World War II. Scientists were looking for a way to help healthy pilots work at even greater levels. Basically, they were looking for a “superhero” pill that’d let the pilots fly better, faster, and for longer periods of time. And they thought they found it in the form of adaptogens. The Soviet Union published military studies about a stimulant called Schisandra chinensis that was used. It was found that berries and seeds eaten by Nanai hunters reduced their thirst, hunger, and exhaustion. It even improved their ability to see at night.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, there has been an increased demand for adaptogen drinks - especially from American consumers. Coffee-based adaptogen drinks are the entire rave. They are trending because they provide an instant energy boost and a host of other health benefits. Adding ginseng and cinnamon to coffee is a popular recipe. Adding a coconut collagen creamer, instead of dairy milk, is said to provide that much-needed morning vigour.
For a night time drink how about a cuppa beau-tea-ful? Chamomile tea is favoured by many. For those who prefer a glass of milk at bedtime, turmeric milk ( also known as golden milk), containing the compound curcumin, which is a natural blood purifier, anti-cancer drink, and nature’s immunity booster for arthritic, respiratory, and digestive issues is recommended. Turmeric milk also improves one’s quality of sleep.
At the intersection of the booze-free lifestyle and functional beverage trends are nonalcoholic concoctions, some of which contain adaptogens. One must remember that these are not replacements for alcohol, nor will they replicate the feeling of being drunk. One should not turn to them to mimic the experience of drinking alcohol - if it tastes good and has health benefits well and good and if it doesn’t give one a hangover that’s a bonus.
So far, adaptogens have mainly been found in beverages or in powder and pill form but, as with nootropic ingredients, they are slowly starting to cross over into food items, such as trail mixes and granola. Interestingly, the buzzword of the moment, adaptogenic, has caught the eye of restaurants, cafes, bars, and many experiences in between. For example, at Sweeties, located at London’s five-star ‘The Standard’ hotel, they have three cocktails (including ‘Gold Dust Woman’ which is made with turmeric), that specifically contain adaptogenic ingredients, while Nootropics in the same city specialises in adaptogenic coffee. Los Angeles has been ahead of the curve when it comes to blending adaptogenic smoothies, lattes, and teas (see Moon Juice, Cafe Gratitude, and Kreation).
Perhaps very soon, we may well see adaptogens on restaurant menus too.
Arahoz Noorhem is a qualified educator who teaches English as a foreign language, a professional jazz pianist, music composer, bird watcher and an intrepid traveler.
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