CBD (cannabidiol) infused beverages are one of the latest industry trends of the year and it looks like there are no signs of this craze slowing down any time soon.
With everything from sparkling water to coffee to alcoholic beverages, it seems as though CBD has infiltrated nearly every pocket of the beverage industry. Even big names like Coca-Cola are eyeing cannabidiol as a potential investment, which means the options for consumers just continue to grow. So what exactly can you find on the market these days? Let’s take a look at some of the CBD beverage trends that people can’t seem to get enough of.
CBD Elixirs
Monk CBD Drinking Botanicals
An elixir is a drink created with some type of healing or medicinal properties, so it makes sense that CBD would be a promising ingredient in this type of beverage. They are typically made with a blend of filtered water, cannabidiol, and various spices and botanicals specially formulated to nourish the body. They can be used to alleviate symptoms of migraines, anxiety, inflammation, and so forth. They’re also great for anyone looking for a way to relax but who may not be interested in drinking wine or other types of alcohol. One of the brands I’m partial to is Monk Provisions, made right here in California with natural and high-quality ingredients.
CBD Coffee K-cups
While K-cups in general aren’t exactly the healthiest way to consume coffee – due to the possibility of phthalates leeching from the plastic material – they’re highly convenient and extremely popular these days. Almost everyone I know has a single serve Keurig-style coffee maker. These are still relatively new on the scene, but a handful of companies such as Olala, Isodiol, and Jane’s Brew have been manufacturing some interesting CBD K-cup blends, although I haven’t actually tried any of these products myself.
CBD Kombucha
If you haven’t heard of Kombucha, it’s a trendy drink that’s recently become popular in the U.S. but its use dates back all the way to 220 B.C. in Northeast China. It’s made from a combination of brewed tea, sugar, and a culture known as a SCOBY, an acronym that stands for Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast. Some recent animal studies show that the bioactive components can have antioxidant, detoxifying, and antimicrobial properties, however, this hasn’t been proven in human models and more studies are definitely needed. Regardless, many people swear by Kombucha so it makes sense that combining this beverage with another natural ingredient, CBD, could potentially have a lot to offer in terms of health and wellness. Some companies capitalizing on this include Blue Ridge Hemp Co. and LoveBootch. Once again, I haven’t tried these products and cannot vouch for them personally.
CBD Alkaline Water
Products from The Alkaline Water Company
If you’ve been into a Trader Joe’s or similar store lately you’ve probably seen the large cases of Alkaline water near the cash registers. If you’re curious about this, let me explain a little bit. Our bodies have a very specific pH of 7.4, which is slightly on the alkaline side. Our diets, especially a meat and dairy-filled diet, are quite acidic. The theory is that, by drinking alkaline water which typically has a pH of 8-10, it can help balance our bodies. Minimal research indicates that there are benefits but these studies were funded by the water companies themselves so that’s something to bear in mind. Last month, popular industry name The Alkaline Water Company joined forces with Infusion Biosciences, Inc. to produce their own line of CBD alkaline water. I’ll be giving it a try when they’re ready to release it so check back for a new product review.
CBD Craft Beer and Wine
So, these drinks are more for fun, but incorporating CBD in them can add some new health benefits that weren’t previously there. I rarely drink alcohol these days so I don’t have any first hand familiarity with any of these products. What I do know is that both wine and craft beer are big business, as is CBD, so of course these hybrid products are equally huge. A few companies worth checking out are CannaWine, CannaVines, and Two Roots Brewing Co.
