Have you noticed the buzz around "botanical drinks" lately? It's not just a passing trend. Packed with natural flavours and infused with herbs, flowers, and spices, botanical drinks are becoming the go-to choice for health-conscious individuals and flavour enthusiasts alike.
Botanical drinks are those delectable beverages flavoured with leaves, roots, herbs, spices, flowers, fruits, vegetables, essential oils and even tree bark! In simple words, anything derived from plants is called "botanical.” It can be both, either a part of fresh or dried plants. It can be infused in teas, drinks, and medicines to enrich your experience with the power of plant-based ingredients.
The Trend of Botanical Drinks
However, the trend may have surged in the past few years. The power of plant-based drinks has been treasured in many cultures and traditions for ages. Be it traditional drinks such as Chicha Morada or Maté famous for their stimulating effects, ayurvedic drinks, or traditional Chinese medicines famous for their healing properties. Chicha Morada originated in Peru's Andean regions and is now consumed all over the country. Chicha morada's origins can be traced back to older indigenous cultures and the Inca civilization.
In addition to its nutritional qualities, purple corn was valued for its ceremonial and traditional medicinal use. This beverage is deeply connected to Peruvian culture and is savoured at many festivals and festivities. It is seen as a representation of the warm hospitality of their culture.
When we say the modern world needs modern solutions, botanical drinks too are a product of the same principle. The new world believed that anything was possible. Like drinking limitlessly during the celebrations and still keeping health a top priority. By introducing innovations and heavenly flavours in botanical drinks, brands have been turning whole healthy drinking habits into a flavourful experience.
When compared to alcoholic or soft drinks, they typically have lower sugar and artificial ingredient content, which makes them a popular option for health-conscious consumers, catering to a growing interest in the best health drink.
Types of Botanical Drinks
Tea Drinks
Be it black tea, healthy green tea, flavoured tea, iced tea or masala chai, tea is one of the most celebrated and popular beverages out there. Adding fresh or dried botanical ingredients to your tea has multiple health benefits. It is good for your skin, gut, weight loss and boosts immunity. Botanical teas also promote relaxation and stress relief and provide hydration without unnecessary sugars or calories.
Kombucha
Kombucha is a traditional fermented tea that may offer numerous health advantages, including enhancing immunity, decreasing cholesterol, promoting cardiovascular health, and encouraging better digestion. A lot of kombucha products have botanical ingredients which include herbs like mint and basil, flowers such as hibiscus and chamomile, roots like ginger and turmeric, and fruits including berries and citrus, helping you boost your digestive and immune system.
Alcoholic Botanical Drinks
Alcoholic botanical beverages, like gin and vodka, infuse alcohol with botanicals like juniper, herbs, spices, and citrus, creating diverse flavours and aromas. They are favoured for versatility in cocktails. These drinks often contain botanicals known for their digestive and relaxing properties, helping people unwind during social gatherings. They offer a unique twist to cocktails and are appreciated by those seeking refined drinking experiences with herbal nuances.
Non - Alcoholic Botanical Drinks
Non-alcoholic botanical beverages are crafted using a blend of herbs, flowers, roots, and fruits to create flavorful and healthy drinks. They are popular as alcohol substitutes for alcohol and traditional soft drinks, offering unique taste experiences without the intoxicating effects.
These drinks provide various health benefits such as antioxidants, improved digestion, and stress relief while being low in calories and free of added sugars. They are perfect for social gatherings, and wellness routines, and as refreshing, healthy options throughout the day.
Also Read: Effects of Alcohol on Our Body
Why You Should Move Over To Botanical Drinks
Botanical beverages aren’t just healthier compared to other packaged drinks you may find in the supermarket, they pack a punch with health benefits as well. Read on to know the health benefits of botanical drinks and why you must make the shift.
Lower Sugar and Calorie Intake
Botanical drinks typically have lower sugar and calorie content compared to traditional sugary beverages, offering a healthier option for those watching their intake. Low-sugar and calorie drinks contribute to overall health by helping to manage weight and stay fit. They also encourage healthier hydration habits without the negative effects associated with excessive sugar intake. It also helps to keep the blood glucose levels within healthy parameters and makes it easier to control weight.
Skin Benefits
Botanical extracts encourage skin renewal. They also have antioxidant effects and a variety of medicinal and healing properties. Botanicals like green tea, aloe vera, and cucumber in drinks can promote healthy skin by providing antioxidants, hydration, and anti-inflammatory properties. These ingredients, which are well-known for their anti-ageing qualities, aid in combating free radicals, encourage cell renewal and enhance the texture, look, and firmness of the skin overall. They also assist in acne and oil control making your skin glow happily.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is crucial for overall health, and botanical drinks contribute to hydration with their water content and sometimes added electrolytes from ingredients like coconut water or citrus fruits. Plant oil also helps in keeping skin hydrated. Skin hydration is crucial for maintaining skin elasticity, slowing the appearance of wrinkles, and preventing dryness and irritation. Proper hydration helps to maintain a healthy skin barrier, which protects against environmental damage and infections.
Healthier Immune System
Immune-boosting botanicals such as elderberry, echinacea, and ginger can be found in drinks, supporting immune function. It aids in preventing illness and speeds up recovery from illnesses or injuries. A healthier immune system means greater defence by your body.
Mental Well-Being
Botanicals like chamomile, lavender, and passionflower are known for their calming effects, aiding in stress relief and promoting mental relaxation and well-being. Herbs like chamomile, lavender, and passionflower have calming effects, while adaptogens such as ashwagandha and rhodiola support the body's ability to cope with stress. Most botanicals in non-alcoholic spirits are known for having a soothing effect by reducing anxiety and stress.
Supports Digestive System
Drinks containing probiotics from ingredients like kombucha or fermented botanicals help support gut health, aiding digestion and improving nutrient absorption. Certain botanicals aid in restoring the proper balance of macrobiotics in your stomach by balancing the flora in your gut. Others encourage the development of digestive enzymes, which enable your body to properly and effectively process food and absorb the maximum amount of nutrients included in it. Herbs including dill, ginger, peppermint, fennel, and caraway can help lessen cramping and bloating in the stomach.
Sustainability
The trend for botanical soft drinks is moving closer to sustainability as people become more aware of their environmental impact. Numerous manufacturers procure their botanicals from organic farms, mitigating their carbon footprint and bolstering the local economy.
Embracing this trend of botanical drinks is a sensible move in the direction of living healthier lives and making conscious choices. It is not only bringing a much healthier lifestyle into the picture but also showing people around the world that there are so many happy flavours of life yet to be explored.