The Rise Of Healthy Alternatives To Caffeine Drinks

Waking up to reality, brands manufacturing nutraceutical products have begun to introduce caffeine-free, immunity-boosting beverages aimed at breaking this unhealthy habit.

According to statistics published in global data platform Statista, around 166.63 million kilograms of coffee were consumed around the world in 2020/21, increasing from the previously recorded 164 million kilograms. Tea, India’s favourite beverage, was consumed in even greater quantities than that – a whopping 6.3 billion kilograms in 2020. An increased consumption of caffeine-based drinks can have adverse effects on one’s body. It can lead to the development of anxiety, sleepless nights, a drop in energy levels at certain points of the day, signal addictive behaviour, enforce abnormal heart rhythms, and increase blood pressure among a host of other health issues.

Waking up to this reality, brands manufacturing nutraceutical products have begun to introduce caffeine-free, immunity-boosting beverages aimed at breaking this unhealthy habit. ZeoNutra, which is an e-commerce segment of Zeon Lifesciences Ltd, is at the forefront of this change. Yashna Garg, CMO E-Commerce, says, “our product line is quite diverse. We have Multivitamins, Immunity boosters, supplements aimed at Liver Detox and improving Bone Health, Collagen Builders, Weight Management products for Men and Women, and products aimed at kids’ development. All of these are manufactured in-house in a DSIR certified R&D lab.”

There are numerous benefits of nutraceuticals, the most important of which is the rare occurrence of side effects, as they are based on naturally existing ingredients. They are known to reduce the intensity of diseases, even if unable to cure them entirely. It is their preventive nature, when consumed in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle, that has increased their usage around the world. ZeoNutra’s popular products include a Health Protein Drink for kids, the ZeoSlim Plus which contains a patented ingredient for weight loss called Slimbiome, and the ZeoGlow, which is a collagen builder to support healthy hair and skin.

However, it is their caffeine-free ZeoTum Latte, launched in November 2020, which is attracting all the attention these days. “This product is an excellent and healthy alternative to regular chai or coffee because it doesn't contain caffeine. People can consume it hot or cold, it does not have any artificial sweeteners and is an Ayurvedic blend of antioxidants and immunity boosting ingredients like Curcumin (haldi), which reduces the risk of diseases and delays the ageing process; Saffron (kesar), a natural stimulant that improves blood circulation; Cinnamon (dalchini) for regulating blood sugar levels; Nutmeg (jaiphal) to improve sleep and brain function; Ginger and Pepper (adrak aur kali mirch), whose anti-inflammatory properties soothe aching joints and improve flexibility and mobility; Fennel (saunf) to improve the appetite and digestion; Cardamom (elaichi) as a digestive, to strengthen the heart and reduce hyperacidity,” explains Garg.

Users that have left positive reviews of this innovative product, all claim to have incorporated the drink in their night-time routines. These consumers have witnessed a change in themselves in a short span of time. The ZeoTum Latte comes in sachets which need to be mixed with 100-150ml water or milk, as per preference. It comes in a 30-day supply and should be consumed once daily.

The products are currently available on e-commerce websites like Amazon, Flipkart, Healthkart and 1mg, and will soon be available in select market spaces catering to a clientele shopping for healthy lifestyle alternatives. They also retail through their own website zeonutra.com and are in the process of exploring the international market to understand which products are most suitable for a global audience.

“In a country like India, tea is not just a beverage, it is an emotion. This made it challenging for us to break into the Indian market initially, but now people are realizing that caffeine affects their health negatively and are looking for healthy products that can be an alternative,” says Garg while stressing on the importance of creating more awareness and educating people about the intake of nutraceuticals.

Apart from their healthy caffeine alternative, ZeoNutra boasts an impressive line of immunity-boosting products. The ZeoTum Capsules for adults contain Curcumin and Pepper for building immunity and aiding digestion, and the ZeoTum Chewable tablets for kids help in keeping colds and cough at bay, while restoring oral hygiene and overall well-being.

The pandemic has taught us the importance of our own health and encouraged us to change our lifestyles of excess. The best way to do this is by choosing healthy alternatives to the fare we consume daily – and Nutraceuticals will help you do just that.

About the author - 

The writer contributes freelance lifestyle articles to various publications. She can be contacted on [email protected]