Nootropics: the future of functional drinks

Nootropics is a term derived from ancient Greek which describes substances or supplements which improve cognitive function, such as caffeine or L-Theanine. Consumers are using functional food and drinks to maintain a healthy brain function, there is scope for drinks brands from a range of categories to explore the functionality of nootropics to support consumers in a cognitively more demanding world. While food brands are also starting to use nootropics, drinks are the obvious conduit for these functional ingredients as they can be digested more quickly than food. The most popular nootropic substance used by drinks today is caffeine, which is proven to boost mental alertness. But there is a range of other nootropic ingredients such as ginseng or L-Theanine, which have the potential to enhance other important brain functions such as memory or creativity.

Nootropic drinks major challenge is educating consumers about what they are – and convincing people they work. It´s paramount for brands to communicate the evidence for the efficacy of their nootropic ingredients to build trust. Ingredients offering more robust scientific evidence can take the spotlight in formulas promising cognitive advantages.

Caffeine is the most widely used nootropic in drinks – and for good reason. Caffeine is proven to boost alertness which helps many people keep up in the ‘information age’. But using caffeine in drinks creates as many problems as solutions for mentally tired users. Too much caffeine leads to anxiety and sleep issues, factors which reduce brain function. And caffeine is not proven to help key brain functions beyond focus, like creativity. One answer is combining smaller doses of caffeine with nootropics that target different cognitive areas for a more ‘360 degree’ brain boost. Many nootropics claim to elicit long-term effects, but these may feel too subtle to drinkers without caffeine’s more overt short-term kick.

Source: Mintel              Date: April 27, 2021

Effects on Costa Rica exports

As functional drinks increase popularity, drink brands and producers can tap into this opportunity by researching and innovating in cognitive-enhancing drinks. Confronted with new digital developments and remote working, consumers find themselves in a more cognitively demanding world, which in return will boost this functional area in food and drink.

The food industry in Costa Rica has more than 100 years of experience led by entrepreneurs who involve global trends through innovation and a variety of biodiversity and ingredients. It is a consolidated industry which has high international quality standards and export experience specially in the juices category, in which Costa Rica diversity on fruits and ingredients have help the industry long data experience.

If you are interested in learning more about the Costa Rican food industry, you can contact us at newyork@procomer.com