Research

What is a Nootropic Drink?

A nootropic drink is a functional beverage designed to optimise brain function and health.

What's in a Nootropic Drink?

Nootropic drinks contain ingredients known as nootropics. By definition, nootropics are compounds that enhance cognitive functions including memory, motivation, concentration and learning capabilities.

Nootropics can be divided into two categories: synthetic, lab created compounds or natural earth grown nootropics. Shine+ contains only natural nootropics ensuring both safety and effectiveness.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba is one of the oldest surviving tree species on earth, leading to its description as a ‘living fossil’. Ginkgo Biloba does much of the heavy lifting when it comes to enhancing both working and long term memory through its vasodilator, anti-oxidant and neuroprotective effects. 

Benefits:

+ Memory

+ Learning capabilities

Evidence supporting Ginkgo Biloba

1. Stough, C., Clarke, J., Lloyd, J., & Nathan, P. J. (2001). Neuropsychological Changes After 30-day Ginkgo Biloba Administration In Healthy Participants. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 4(2), 131-134.

2. Mahadevan, S., & Park, Y. (2008). Multifaceted Therapeutic Benefits Of Ginkgo biloba L.: chemistry, efficacy, safety, and uses. Journal of Food Science, 73(1), R14-R19. 

3. Scholey, A. B., & Kennedy, D. O. (2002). Acute, Dose‐dependent Cognitive Effects of Ginkgo Biloba, Panax Ginseng And Their Combination In Healthy Young Volunteers: Differential Interactions With Cognitive Demand. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, 17(1), 35-44.

Green tea (L-theanine & EGCG) + Caffeine

Green tea prepared from the leaves of Camellia Sinensis contains L-theanine, EGCG and caffeine, a well known synergistic combination for mental performance. The pairing of L-theanine and caffeine produces an increase in alpha brain waves, a state associated with a calm and relaxed focus.

Benefits:

+ Focus

+ Reduce mental fatigue

Evidence supporting Green tea (L-theanine & EGCG) + Caffeine:

1. Feng, L., Chong, M. S., Lim, W. S., Gao, Q., Nyunt, M. S. Z., Lee, T. S., ... & Ng, T. P. (2016). Tea Consumption Reduces The Incidence Of Neurocognitive Disorders: Findings From the Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study. The journal of nutrition, health & aging, 20(10), 1002-1009.

2. Camfield, D. A., Stough, C., Farrimond, J., & Scholey, A. B. (2014). Acute Effects Of Tea Constituents L-theanine, Caffeine, And Epigallocatechin Gallate On Cognitive Function And Mood: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis. Nutrition reviews, 72(8), 507-522.

3. Owen, G. N., Parnell, H., De Bruin, E. A., & Rycroft, J. A. (2008). The Combined Effects Of L-theanine And Caffeine On Cognitive Performance And Mood. Nutritional neuroscience, 11(4), 193-198.

Turmeric (Curcumin)

Turmeric a popular superfood, contains curcumin, a polyphenol from the rhizome of turmeric. Curcumin has been shown to be neuroprotective due to its  ability to cross the blood brain barrier and exert an anti-oxidant effect.

Benefits:

+ Memory

+ Attention

Evidence supporting Turmeric (Curcumin):

1. Cox, K. H., Pipingas, A., & Scholey, A. B. (2015). Investigation of the effects of solid lipid curcumin on cognition and mood in a healthy older population. Journal of psychopharmacology, 29(5), 642-651.

2. Rainey-Smith, S. R., Brown, B. M., Sohrabi, H. R., Shah, T., Goozee, K. G., Gupta, V. B., & Martins, R. N. (2016). Curcumin and cognition: a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of community-dwelling older adults. British Journal of Nutrition, 115(12), 2106-2113. 

3. Sharman, J., Galeshi, R., Onega, L., Ashby, S., & Sharman, K. (2017). The Efficacy of Curcumin on Cognition, Depression, and Agitation in Older Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease. The Open Nutrition Journal, 11(1).

Siberian Ginseng

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus Senticosus) is technically known as an adaptogen. An adaptogen is widely defined as a substance that may increase work capacity during times of strenuous activity and reduce the effects of stress on the body.

Benefits:

+ Adaptogen

+ Anti-fatigue

Evidence supporting Siberian Ginseng: 

1. Cicero, A. F. G., Derosa, G., Brillante, R., Bernardi, R., Nascetti, S., & Gaddi, A. (2004). Effects Of Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim.) On Elderly Quality Of Life: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 38, 69-73.

2. Asano, K., Takahashi, T., Miyashita, M., Matsuzaka, A., Muramatsu, S., Kuboyama, M., ... & Imai, J. (1986). Effect of Eleutheroccocus Senticosus Extract On Human Physical Working Capacity. Planta Medica, 52(03), 175-177.

3. Kuo, J., Chen, K. W., Cheng, I. S., Tsai, P. H., Lu, Y. J., & Lee, N. Y. (2010). The Effect Of Eight Weeks Of Supplementation With Eleutherococcus Senticosus On Endurance Capacity And Metabolism In Human. Chin J physiol, 53(2), 105-11.

Vitamins B2, B6 & B12

B vitamins are essential for normal physiological functioning, yet are not produced in the body, and are therefore known as “essential vitamins”, which must be obtained from the diet. B vitamins act as coenzymes, meaning they are essential for many key reactions in the body.

In relation to brain function, B vitamin play an important role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, whilst also regulating homocysteine levels, allowing the brain to function optimally.

Benefits:

+ Brain health

+ Neuroprotective

Evidence supporting B vitamins: 

1. Kennedy, D. O. (2016). B Vitamins And The Brain: Mechanisms, Dose And Efficacy—A Review. Nutrients, 8(2), 68.

2. McGarel, C., Pentieva, K., Strain, J. J., & McNulty, H. (2015). Emerging Roles For Folate And Related B-Vitamins In Brain Health Across The Lifecycle. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 74(01), 46-55.

3. Smith, A. D., Smith, S. M., De Jager, C. A., Whitbread, P., Johnston, C., Agacinski, G., ... & Refsum, H. (2010). Homocysteine-lowering By B Vitamins Slows The Rate Of Accelerated Brain Atrophy In Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PloS one, 5(9), e12244.