Drinks as part of the sleep routine for a better quality of sleep

A healthy sleep is the main source of more energy during the day. Certain habits can help make it easier to fall asleep and improve the quality of sleep. Special mindfulness drinks with melatonin, for example, can be part of soporific rituals.

Sleeping problems have increased worldwide in recent years. The causes for this are varied and complex, and their origins can be both physical and psychological. The environment and daily habits also have a strong influence on the quality and duration of sleep.

It is undisputed that stress, worries, negative thoughts and psychological problems are among the greatest enemies of healthy sleep and reduce the quality of sleep. The wrong diet, too little exercise and too much caffeine and alcohol can also be proven to impair the quality of sleep. Those who cultivate bad habits for too long can permanently imbalance the circadian rhythm. Then new methods and consistency are needed to slowly adjust the body and the psyche again in order to regain a restful quality and duration of sleep.

Quality of sleep: Bad habits aid sleep problems

A new phenomenon that massively increases sleep problems is the excessive use of screens, especially smartphones: The blue light emitted by the devices inhibits the production of the sleep hormone melatonin and thus interferes falling asleep and reduces the quality of sleep. And since many people today get up in the morning with their mobile phones, spend the whole day and also go to bed with their smartphones, it is hardly surprising that an increasing number of people are having problems falling asleep and staying asleep and the overall quality of sleep decreases. Only special blue light filter glasses, the activation of the blue light filter on the mobile phone or the night mode on the laptop or screen as well as the consistent going offline, at least a few hours before going to bed, can mitigate the influence of the blue light. But in practice, many people tend not to stick to it.

Altogether, problems with sleep are increasing worldwide, and according to various studies, the pandemic has intensified this trend even more. According to a survey by FMCG Gurus, almost half of global consumers (44 percent) said in 2020 that their sleep had deteriorated over the past two years. 40 percent said they had difficulties falling asleep and 73 percent reported that they regularly woke up at least once a night. The study also notes that 67 percent of global consumers are “interested in products that support sleep health”.

Source: FMCG Gurus

High value is attached to healthy sleep

The awareness of the importance of sleep and the quality of sleep is generally very high. According to Euromonitor International, consumer perception of the term “health” puts mental wellbeing in first place with 64 percent, followed by “feeling good” with 61 percent and “getting enough sleep” with 59 percent on third place.

Source: Euromonitor International Health & Nutrition Survey, February 2020

According to FMCG Gurus, consumers around the world associate the following botancials, which are also used in beverages in different formulations, with a supportive effect on sleep behaviour: dandelion and chamomile are associated with relaxation and sleep with 67 percent each, lavender and jasmine with 66 percent each , Ginseng with 57 percent, hibiscus with 55 percent, rose with 53 percent, ginger with 51 percent, aloe vera with 47 percent and valerian root with 46 percent.

Source: FMCG Gurus

Melatonin as an ingredient in beverages

Melatonin in beverages is also said to contribute to the quality of sleep. When using a claim, however, there are precise requirements regarding the effect on sleep: According to the Health Claim Regulation, the claim “Melatonin contributes to the reduction of time taken to fall asleep” may be used for products that at least contain 1 mg melatonin per serving. In order to make the claim permissible, consumers must be informed that the beneficial effect will be achieved if 1 mg of melatonin is ingested shortly before going to bed.
According to Euromonitor, as with energy and immune boosting drinks, shot formats in connection with melatonin drinks will play a role in the future beverage market.

Source: Passport - Searching for the oasis in a bottle: calming and relaxing beverages, July 2020

Mintel also predicts L-theanine has growing potential as an ingredient in beverages. 41 percent of global product launches with L-theanine used a functional claim that relates to brain function or the nervous system. Globally, this is partly possible because in many regions of the world the strict regulation of health-related claims by the EU Health Claims Regulation does not apply.

Source: "Ingredient watch: L-theanine - The dual benefits of relaxation and clarity will allow L-theanine to thrive as frazzled consumers look for new ways to cope with stress", Stephanie Mattucci, Mintel November 2020

Increasing sleeping quality by routines that support falling asleep

As already mentioned, a wide variety of factors are involved in sleep hygiene and good quality of sleep. One important factor is to create healthy sleep routines that calm the nervous system and prepare the body and mind for bedtime and the nocturnal recovery phase. This includes, for example, “calming down” in the hours before falling asleep, for example by stopping strenuous exercise, but taking a warm bath, meditating or reading a book. The light sources in the bedroom, the room temperature and the entire environment can also be decisive for the quality of sleep.

CONCLUSION:

Problems with sleep are increasing worldwide and the causes are diverse. Stress, worries and bad habits are among the greatest enemies of good quality of sleep. A new phenomenon that affects the quality of sleep is the excessive use of smartphones, which means that the body's own release of melatonin can be disturbed. New beverages from "Mindfulness" product ranges can help establish healthy habits to support the quality of sleep. According to the Health Claim Regulation, melatonin can also be added to drinks with a claim to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. Certain botanicals and teas are associated with relaxing effects by consumers and can also be used in the development of beverages.