The Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks that ACTUALLY Help you Unwind and Feel Relaxed

According to a Registered Dietitian

Maybe you are tired of feeling hung-over after a night of drinking, or maybe you are trying to live a healthier life. Or perhaps you want to feel relaxed without feeling sloppy or impaired. Whatever the reason, you want a drink that can give you that “carefree feeling” of relaxation, without the unhealthy and unpleasant side effects of alcohol. But are there healthy non-alcoholic drinks that actually help you unwind?

The Answer…studies say, perhaps.

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Lacy Ngo, MS, RDN is a registered dietitian and owner of Mindfulness in Faith and Food, LLC. Mindfulness in Faith and Food, LLC focuses on how to live your healthiest, happiest, most meaningful life through faith-based mindfulness and evidence-based nutrition.
Ngo is one of the top experts in faith-based mindfulness and nutrition and also the author of several books including, Mindfulness in Faith and Freezer Meals, The Nourishing Meal Builder, and Faith, Mindfulness, & Nutrition. You can also find evidence-based nutrition articles, recipes, convenient healthy snack lists, and faith-based mindfulness techniques on her blog, Mindfulness in Faith and Food.

The Best Non-alcoholic drinks that May Help You Unwind and Feel Relaxed According to a Registered Dietitian

Here are the Top Non-alcohol Drinks That May Help Take the Edge Off:

1. Green Tea

Studies show that diets high in polyphenol antioxidants can be helpful when it comes to mood, and Green tea, specifically, (a good source of polyphenols) has been associated with a decrease in the prevalence of depression. In fact, individuals who drank 4 cups or more per day had a 51% lower prevalence of depression compared to those who drank 1 cup or less per day. Green tea also contains L-theanine. Studies show that the EGCG and L-Theanine may help relax the brain without making you feel drowsy. So Instead of a nightly cocktail to help you unwind, try a nightly cup of green tea.

Popular Pick: Tazo Green Tea

woman pouring herbal tea from teapot for tea ceremony — Photo by Charlotte May on Pexels.com

2. Fruit Smoothies

Studies show that a diet rich in antioxidants may help your mood overtime, and one study suggests that consuming antioxidants may improve your mood immediately. In this study, children and young adults were given a flavonoid-rich blueberry drink. Their moods were assessed before and after the drink. The participants reported a more positive mood after the drink. Although these results are interesting, this study had some weaknesses, therefore more research is needed to determine if antioxidants can improve moods this quickly.

3. Non-alcoholic Kombucha

The antioxidants and probiotics in kombucha may play a role in helping you wind down after a long stressful day.

We discussed earlier what the research says about antioxidant and mood, but what does the research say about probiotics?

According to The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, poor gut health may have a negative impact on mood and may increase the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Although more studies are needed, probiotics are thought to improve gut health, and in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials, probiotics, especially Lactobacillus and Bifidunactera, significantly reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Popular Pick: Humm Zero

4. Probiotic-Fortified Antioxidant Drinks

We have established that poor gut health has been linked to poor mood and that antioxidants and probiotics may help balance out the gut. Fortunately you can get both antioxidants and probiotics in fun fortified waters. Karma is one example of a tasty probiotic drink. This probiotic drinks contain antioxidants and several vitamins. Karma also brings a little fun to your drinking experience. To mix the drink, you get to push a little button on the top and watch the flavored probiotic powder pour into the bottle. How fun is that!?!?

Popular Pick: Karma Probiotic

5. Hot Chocolate made with Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is not only delicious but also rich in antioxidants and serotonin. According to research, dark chocolate may even act as an antidepressant. Plus, the warmth of hot chocolate has a soothing, calming effect.

Popular Pick: Castle Kitchen Double Dutch Dark Chocolate

photo of a hand holding out a steaming cup — Photo by Edward Eyer on Pexels.com

6. CBD Drinks

Unlike THC, CBD is the part of the Hemp plant that is not intoxicating and will not get you “high.” CBD may have anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties, and according to a double-blinded, placebo-controlled human study, CBD may reduce anxiety during stressful situations like public speaking. Also, according to a mice study, CBD also may have antidepressant-like effects. A word of caution, however, some CBD products may have trace amounts of THC, and although this trace amount is not thought to affect you, in rare cases it could still show up on a drug test. CBD is considered a supplement; therefore, you should discuss CBD with your doctor before consuming CBD.

7. Chamomile Tea

Studies have shown that people with general anxiety disorder or depression experienced significantly less symptoms of anxiety after consuming chamomile. Like hot chocolate and green tea, the warmth of the cup in your hands as well as the steam of the hot tea may also produce a feeling of calm.

Popular Pick: Tazo Chamomile Tea

food man hands people — Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

8. Cherry Juice

People have sometimes reported using alcohol to help them sleep, but there may be a healthier drink for the job. Cherry juice is a good source of melatonin, and according to studies, the melatonin in cherry juice may improve sleep.

Popular Pick:
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

9. Non-alcoholic Mocktails with Mood-enhancing Supplements

Sometimes it’s the atmosphere or environment that helps us unwind. So, drinking something that taste like a cocktail in a fun glass may help you feel relaxed, regardless of the ingredients. But these popular mocktails offer something more. They not only look like a cocktail, but also contain supplements that are meant to help you unwind and relax. But are they safe and do they work?

Are Non-alcoholic Mocktails Safe?

First let’s talk about safety. When it comes to supplements, I take a more cautious approach, whereas, with food, I take a more optimistic approach. For example, if the studies are few and even conflicting that a certain food may help with mood, I say, why not add it to your diet if it is generally healthy, and it may just help your mood as well. Supplements, however, may have adverse interaction to medication, medical conditions, and other supplements. Supplements are also expensive and can even be toxic when consumed in excess. It should also be noted that nutritional supplements are not well regulated, and quality can vary among brands.

For these reasons you should discuss these supplements with your doctor or dietitian before trying them. Your doctor or dietitian will be able to assess your medical history to determine if you are at risk for adverse effects. Most of these supplement-containing mocktails are not recommended for those pregnant, breastfeeding, or under the age of 18. These Mood-boosting Mocktails should not be consumed with alcohol or with other mood-altering substances, and they should not be taken with certain medications like Coumadin, MAO inhibitors, antidepressants, or SSRIs.

The good news is that the supplement doses in these mocktails are usually small; therefore, the risk of overdoing them is unlikely as long as you stay under the recommended serving. You can find the recommended servings on the individual brand’s websites. For example, Kin Eurpohoics states on their site that you should not exceed 4 servings within 24 hours. People with a history of alcoholism should also avoid these products that look and taste like alcohol as they can be triggering.

So are these Non-alcoholic Mocktails Healthier than Alcohol?

People often choose to consume these mocktails because they do not want to drink alcohol, but are these mocktails a better choice? That depends on the individual, but in some cases Mocktails may be the better option. Alcohol is a toxin that can impair your judgement and when consumed in excess can cause organ damage. Alcohol disrupts sleep and gut balance and can leave you feeling hungover the next day. Mocktails are designed to help you relax without the disadvantages of alcohol.

But Do These Non-alcoholic Mocktails Work? What Does the Research Say?

I looked up the most common ingredients in many of these mocktails and found some promising mood-lifting evidence for the following ingredients: Holy Basil, Rhodiala, Turmeric, Ashwagandha, L-theanine, passionflower, 5-HPT, and Lemon Balm. Most of these ingredients appear safe when take short-term; however, there is not enough evidence to know if long-term use is safe. In rare cases, long-term use of Ashwagandha has been linked to liver problems, and in rare cases, 5-HPT has been linked to a condition called EMS (eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome). EMS is a condition that causes muscle tenderness and blood abnormalities. As of now, it is unknown as to whether 5-HPT causes EMS or if a contaminant in some supplements (not these particular products) caused it. Until more is known, you should use caution when trying to decide to take 5-HTP. Passionflower, in large doses, may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion.