Key points from article :
“Calm in a can” drinks are marketed as a quick fix for stress and anxiety, but experts are not convinced they live up to the hype. These so-called “functional beverages” are booming in popularity, with UK sales up nearly 25% in the past year, as brands like Trip, Rheal, Grass&Co and supermarket labels promise relaxation through ingredients such as Lion’s Mane mushroom, L-theanine, ashwagandha and magnesium. Many consumers, like busy parents Lucy and Serena, say they feel more balanced after drinking them—but nutritionists point out that the amounts of these supplements are often too small to have any proven effect.
The Advertising Standards Authority recently banned an advert from Trip for suggesting its drinks could treat stress and anxiety, ruling the claims misleading. Dietitian Reema Patel notes that while Lion’s Mane shows some promise in research, clinical trials use far higher doses than those found in canned drinks. Similarly, performance nutritionist Dr. Sinead Roberts stresses that supplements can help specific groups—like elite athletes or those with deficiencies—but not the average consumer seeking calm in everyday life.
Psychologists suggest that the sense of relaxation may come less from the ingredients and more from the ritual. Buying a premium, nicely branded drink encourages people to pause and savour a moment, creating a genuine, if short-lived, sense of calm. As psychologist Natasha Tiwari explains, the experience of slowing down with a “treat” may generate the soothing effect people associate with the drinks, even if the science doesn’t fully support the claims.
Ultimately, while these beverages are unlikely to replace therapy or medical care, experts agree they can serve as a healthier alternative to alcohol and provide a psychological boost for those who enjoy them. For many consumers, that small window of peace—real or placebo—is reason enough to keep cracking open a can.
