Stress-relief drinks fuel next functional beverage boom

Stress-relief drinks – overview

• Stress-relief drinks are among functional beverages’ fastest-growing market categories
• Stress ranks highest as a wellbeing concern globally, outpacing anxiety and sleep
• Relaxation beverages grow around 19% annually, nearing gut health
• Chaga and guarana launches surged as brands pursue differentiation
• Consumers primarily drink stress-relief beverages at home

The functional beverage sector is thriving.

Driven by rising consumer interest in health, wellness and convenient nutrition, functional beverages have evolved from a niche category into a major success story.

And demand shows no signs of slowing. In fact, it’s speeding up, with consumers seeking increasingly targeted health benefits from their beverages.

One area benefiting most from this shift is the stress-relief. Why? Because stress is now the top wellbeing concern amongst consumers globally.

According to Innova Market Insights (IMI), 43% of consumers cite stress as a key issue, placing it well ahead of anxiety (36%) and sleep difficulties (32%).

Stress-relief drink success

Stress-relief, mood-support and relaxation beverages are rapidly emerging as one of functional drinks’ most exciting growth opportunities.

According to IMI, the segment is expanding at a similar pace to brain health beverages, posting annual growth of around 19%, and is already approaching the market share currently held by gut health drinks.

Moreover, as immunity products begin to mature following their pandemic-fuelled boom, many industry observers see relaxation-focused beverages as the category’s next major growth driver.

The trend reflects a broader shift in consumer priorities. While physical health remains important, consumers are increasingly looking for products that support emotional wellbeing, stress management and everyday balance.

In response, brands are developing beverages formulated with functional ingredients, positioning them as convenient tools for relaxation and mood support.

From start-ups to CPGs, manufacturers are investing heavily in the space, incorporating functional ingredients into sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink teas and wellness shots, as they look to capitalise on the trend.

But which ingredients are driving the category’s growth?

Stress-relief ingredients

Chaga mushroom extract and guarana are among the fastest-growing ingredients in the stress-relief and mood-support beverage space.

Turkey tail mushroom is also gaining momentum – the number of stress-relief and relaxation beverage launches featuring the ingredient rose from just two in 2023 to 13 in 2025, reflecting increasing innovation among manufacturers and growing consumer curiosity around new functional ingredients.

While emerging ingredients are helping brands differentiate their offerings, more established botanicals and adaptogens continue to form the backbone of many formulations. Ashwagandha, L-theanine, lemon balm and chamomile remain popular among formulators due to their strong consumer recognition and association with relaxation, stress management and mood support. Their continued popularity reflects consumer preference for ingredients perceived as both natural and functional.

Functional formats

Innovation is also accelerating across a wide range of product formats.

From sparkling wellness beverages and functional waters to ready-to-drink teas and concentrated wellness shots, brands are increasingly targeting specific consumption occasions and consumer needs. This diversification is helping stress-relief beverages move beyond specialist wellness channels and into the mainstream.

However, as the category grows, brands face increasing pressure to demonstrate the effectiveness of their products. Consumers are becoming more discerning and looking beyond marketing claims, placing greater importance on transparency, ingredient quality and scientific credibility.

The regulatory environment is also becoming increasingly important, with health and wellbeing claims requiring robust scientific substantiation. As a result, evidence-backed formulations are likely to become an increasingly important point of differentiation.

Why and where?

According to IMI consumer data, more than a third (36%) of consumers want functional beverages that help them relax and unwind, while a further 33% actively seek stress-relief benefits, and 22% search for mood-supporting products.

The occasions for consumption are equally revealing.

Nearly half (45%) of consumers enjoy stress-relief drinks at home, positioning them as part of everyday wellness routines rather than occasional purchases. Around 30% consume them as a dedicated “moment to myself”, suggesting they’re now being used as tools for self-care and relaxation. And a further 23% drink them during work or study, underlining demand for products that can help consumers navigate the pressures of busy, often stressful, daily lives.

These consumption patterns point to a broader shift in how consumers view wellbeing and the role beverages can play in supporting it.

Consumers are increasingly prioritising emotional resilience, mental wellness and everyday balance, creating opportunities for brands to develop products that address a broader range of functional needs.

What’s next for stress-relief drinks?

With stress ranked as the world’s leading wellbeing concern, the long-term outlook for relaxation-focused beverages remains strong. Continued innovation in ingredients, formats and functionality is expected to drive further growth, while consumers’ increasing focus on holistic wellness is likely to expand the category’s appeal.

For manufacturers, the opportunity extends beyond simply helping consumers unwind.

The next generation of stress-relief beverages will need to deliver credible functional benefits, fit naturally into daily routines and appeal to consumers seeking proactive approaches to wellbeing.

As the functional beverage market continues to evolve, relaxation drinks look set to become one of its defining success stories.