If you have an interest in health and wellness and you have not yet heard of CBD, you should probably pay a little more attention. The cannabinoid is causing a stir for its wealth of purported therapeutic benefits, leading it to be put forward as a possible natural holistic treatment of a large number of mental and physical health issues.
Since CBD was legalized in the United Kingdom not long ago, the market in CBD products has exploded. For a taster of this diversity, all you have to do is visit an online CBD dispensary to be confronted with myriad oils, tinctures, vapes, capsules, isolates and topicals.
In this post, we are going to take a look at one of the fastest-growing areas of the CBD sector – beverages!
The Endocannabinoid System, THC & CBD
Before we dive into an examination of the different types of CBD drinks, we will first explain a little about CBD and how it works on the body.
CBD is one of the 113 cannabinoid compounds that occur naturally in the cannabis and hemp plants. Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive and does not produce the ‘high’ sensation that is enjoyed by recreational users of cannabis. However, it is thought to possess some powerful health benefits. To understand these benefits, it is necessary to have a basic grasp of the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
Discovered as recently as the early 1990s, the ECS is a cell-signaling system with receptors located around the body and brain. Today, it is thought to play a key role in maintaining a healthy equilibrium in many of the body’s vital bodily functions and processes. Among these are pain, memory, mood, appetite, stress, sleep, metabolism, immune function, and reproductive function.
Medical science now understands that the ECS can potentially become dysregulated. By stimulating the receptors in the ECS, it is now widely-believed that CBD has the potential to help the body to regulate its bodily functions.
CBD Beverages Range
One advantage of consuming your CBD in drink-form is that it is fast-acting and easily-absorbed by the body. In addition, it can make a pleasurable alternative to other forms of CBD.
CBD Alcohol
If you head down to a trendy bar in some world-class cities including London, you may find a range of CBD drinks on the menu. There is very little research into the effects of CBD when it is consumed with alcohol. The logic behind adding CBD to a beer, wine or other alcoholic beverage is based on the assumption that CBDs’ anxiety-relieving properties are complemented by the relaxing effects of consuming alcohol.
Nonetheless, there is some research that has shown that CBD may help to combat some of the negatives associated with drinking alcohol. For example, CBD may play a role in reducing inflammation and cell damage that occurs as a result of excess alcohol consumption. It may also help to reduce the development of alcohol-induced fatty liver.
Soda
There are a few brands that are now offering some interesting CBD soda drinks. The options brought by sodas are interesting and wide-ranging. Many of the products include juice made from other superfoods and energy-boosting ingredients like ginseng. Sodas can be drunk on the go at work, in the park on a hot summer’s day or as an accompaniment to a meal.
One possible drawback of CBD-infused soda drinks may be the high levels of sugar that they contain. If you are taking CBD for health reasons, it is a good idea to try to limit the amount of sugar that you consume. Make sure that you do not overdo it on the sodas!
Coffee
If you are a coffee-lover (for you Brits, don’t worry – tea is up next), you might want to give CBD-infused coffee a try. People have reported that CBD may do a good job of counteracting the negative side effects associated with drinking coffee (jitters, insomnia and anxiety). Adding the calming effects of CBD to the stimulating properties of coffee brings a whole new meaning to a relaxing cup of coffee.
Tea
The therapeutic effects of tea have been known by humans for millennia. Not only does consuming the delicious infusions promote relaxation, but they are also full of antioxidants which help to boost overall health and wellbeing as well. As a result, it’s not surprising that CBD tea is a hit in the UK, right?
The well-known soothing and calming effects of tea are perfectly complemented by the relaxation-inducing effects of CBD. If you drink it with tea that contains caffeine, you get a fantastic blend between focused stimulation and chilled-out relaxation.
Kombucha
Kombucha is a fermented green tea drink that has been drunk in China for thousands of years. It is known for the high numbers of good bacteria that it contains which are today known to play a crucial role in overall health and wellness. Kombucha has recently become popular in the Western world for its ability to promote a healthy balance of microbiota in the gut.
Not only does the gut provide a home of bacteria, but it also contains a high concentration of cannabinoid receptors. As a result, there may not exist another beverage that is better for your gut than kombucha infused with CBD.
CBD Drinks – The Next Big Thing
If you are already into your CBD but have never tried CBD drinks, why wait any longer? CBD drinks represent just another string to your bow. There are hundreds of new products out there, many of which are delicious and healthy alternatives to your regular beverages. Take a look at your local CBD distributor to check out their line of CBD drinks today!