What does science say about the ingredients in functional beverages?

Drinks promoted as offering mental or physical benefits beyond hydration are growing in popularity around the world. Hundreds of companies have jumped into the so-called functional beverages market, hoping to get some buzz with trendy and sometimes unfamiliar ingredients. Adaptogens are one of the latest categories. They are plants and mushrooms that may help your body respond to stress, anxiety and fatigue or enhance feelings of well-being. Examples include ginseng, ashwagandha and chaga. But what does the science say? The Cleveland Clinic says adaptogens are known to trigger chemical reactions that can return the body to a more balanced state. Studies show the body can build a resistance to them.