Page 5 - BrockCoNewsletter-NovDec-2023.indd

On The Rise: FUNCTIONAL BEVERAGES
For more and more people, drinks are New functional beverage drinkers should
more than delicious and refreshing. They know that reputable scientifi c research does
supply them with nutrients, minerals, and not support these drinks' health promises
microorganisms that promise to improve since a nutrient's e ectiveness after being
heart and gut health, strengthen immunity, combined with several ingredients has
reduce anxiety, increase energy without yet to be discovered. Also, some of these
sugar, and perform other functions. additives can impair bodily functions and
These “functional beverages” include lab testing accuracy. Many functional drink
water, tea, kombucha, juices, and tonics labels say pregnant women, children, and
that contain vitamin blends, probiotics, people taking antidepressants should not
omega-3 fatty acids, and other additives. consume the tonic.
One popular drink includes L-Theanine A functional beverage can be a refreshing
because of its calming e ect. change for those looking for an alternative
to sugary drinks. Just do your research fi rst.
Consumer demand for stronger immunity
and convenience has contributed to the Source:
popularity of functional beverages. With a https://foodinstitute.com/focus/functional-
few chugs, people think they are improving beverage-market-continues-to-gain-
their health and wellness. This drive is so momentum/
strong that industry experts believe sales of https://daily.sevenfi fty.com/functional-
these drinks will grow 9% each year until beverages-are-big-business-heres-what-you-
the functional beverage market is worth need-to-know/
$279 million in 2030.

SSONAL HIGH GHTS: QUICKLY DE STRESS

The last six weeks of the year are often the breathing technique in which you inhale consider engaging in guided breathing and
most stressful. So instead of crumbling under through your nose for four seconds, hold thought exercises for 15 minutes. Insight
the weight of the anxiety or using unhealthy your breath for seven seconds, and exhale and guidance for meditation can be found

coping mechanisms, try one or all of these through your mouth for eight. An eight- online or on di erent apps.
stress-busting exercises. rep set performed at least twice a day Don’t let the season of giving take your joy.
• The Mayo Clinic recommends sitting activates the vagus nerve, which releases Instead, fi nd stress releases that work for you
quietly, looking around, and noting: fi ve relaxing chemicals in your brain. and use them as often as possible.
things you can see, four things you can • Perform your favorite workout. Exercise Source:
physically feel, three things you can hear, reduces stress hormones, increases the
two things you can smell, and one thing production of the body’s natural mood https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/
you can taste. These actions shift your elevators, and allows your mind to wander, hometown-health/speaking-of-health/5-4-3-2-
attention to the present and away from not settle on chaotic thoughts. 1-countdown-to-make-anxiety-blast-o
anxiety-inducing situations or thoughts. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-
• Meditate. It can be as simple as sitting
• Dr. Andrew Weil, a noted integrative- quietly, breathing deeply, and clearing your healthy/exercising-to-relax
medicine physician, promotes a relaxing mind for 30 seconds. If you have more time,