The firm sees opportunities to support brain health amid the crowded functional food space focused on gut health and energy.
“A lot of functional foods are focusing on gut health or energy whereas our focus remains solely on brain health and function. That’s our purpose, to make brains work better through nutrition,” said Ārepa co-founder Angus Brown.
Its Brain Drinks range includes Uplift, formulated to support energy, and Calm and Clarity, designed to promote mental calmness and focus.
The new Yuzu Lemon & Vanilla and Spiced Orange flavours expand the line beyond its existing Ginger Peach and Blackcurrant options.
“Our two new Brain Drinks offer up a whole new taste experience for our Uplift (American Ginseng, L-theanine and B5 and B6) and Calm and Clarity formulations (Magneisum and L-theanine). We are mindful that not everyone likes Blackcurrant so we spent time creating delicious sparkling flavours that were natural, low calorie and sweetened with monk fruit,” said Brown.
“Our Yuzu Lemon and Vanilla tastes like a creamy soda and our Spiced Orange gives a nod to the delicious sparkling orange drinks we grew up with as kids.”
The newly flavoured brain drinks contain the same active ingredients that help boost mental health.
The science driving Ārepa’s brain drinks
Uplift contains around 200mg American Ginseng, 200mg L-theanine, and 100% of recommended daily intake of vitamin B6.
Often described as an adaptogen, American ginseng helps the body cope with stress and supports steady mental energy without the negative effects associated with caffeine.
Research in healthy young adults has shown that 200mg of standardised extract improved memory accuracy and reaction times within two hours, with benefits lasting up to six hours, according to Kennedy et al, Psychopharmacology 2001.
L-theanine occurs naturally in tea. It promotes a state of calm focus by encouraging alpha brain wave activity and balancing neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
Clinical studies have shown that a 200mg dose can improve attention under stress, enhance sleep quality, and reduce fatigue, while also supporting executive function and alertness.
Vitamin B6 is essential for making neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and GABA, all of which affect mood, motivation, and alertness. In a UK trial, 100 mg/day B6 for 1 month reduced anxiety and improved mood resilience in young adults. Observational studies link higher B6 status to reduced fatigue and improved perceived energy.
Together, these ingredients aim to enhance mental focus and alertness.
As for Calm and Clarity, it is designed to help the brain keep calm and clear by reducing tiredness and supporting normal psychological and neurological function.
It contains around 250mg L-theanine and 200mg magnesium, which is known to promote calmness.
Magnesium also supports melatonin production and GABA signalling, a neurotransmitter that calms brain activity.
This helps promote deeper, more restorative sleep. Clinical trials show that around 200mg daily can increase total sleep time and efficiency, as well as raise melatonin levels at night.
More recently, a crossover study found magnesium improved deep-sleep duration and overall sleep quality within two weeks, measured using sleep-tracking devices.
Magnesium is therefore part of another of Ārepa’s latest launches – the Brain Capsules for Sleep, which complements its range of brain health boosters.
“Sleep is one of the most important functions needed for brain health and a lot of our consumers were asking us about a solution for sleep,” said Brown.
“Our neuroscientist studied hundreds of clinical studies to see what ingredients could offer a better sleep without sedation and had robust human clinical studies backing.”
That was how Ārepa decided on including in the Sleep Capsule L-theanine, Saffron and Magnesium Bisglycinate – an absorbable form of magnesium, said Brown.
Ārepa has other brain-boosting products in the pipeline that will explore various formats.
Brown revealed that Ārepa has a new powder product launching soon, and a new beverage range designed to support both brain function and physical performance.
The firm is exploring partnerships with F&B companies and B2B ingredient suppliers, as well as new formats like gummies, bars, and yoghurts, with further details expected in 2026.
