In the 1939 MGM motion picture “The Wizard of Oz,” the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), in need of a brain, accompanies Dorothy (Judy Garland) down the yellow brick road to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard of Oz for help. Yet, throughout the movie, the Scarecrow is the “brains” of the foursome as he tells the Cowardly Lion (Burt Lahr) that he has a plan, and he’s going to lead them as they overtake the prison guards and sneak into the Witch’s castle to rescue Dorothy. When it comes to cognitive health and energy ingredients, beverage manufacturers are giving consumers a “plan” and many options when it comes to balancing mental and emotional well-being.
Among the trends in functional beverages are products that provide an edge in managing stress and support better focus and cognition. It’s not just baby boomers (born between 1954-1967) that are trying to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, which affects an estimated 6.2 million Americans — numbers that are projected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050, the Alzheimer’s Association states.