I tried canned kava, a beverage marketed as an alcohol alternative with a calming effect. It relaxed me, but I couldn't get past the sugary taste.

Sun, 07/30/2023 - 06:10

Insider reporter Alex Bitter holds a can of Mitra-9 kava beverage in a can while looking skeptically at the camera and wearing a black floral shirt — Kava has gained popularity over the last several years as an alternative to alcohol. Insider tried some kava drinks from DTC brands to see if they're worth it.
Alex Bitter/Insider

Kava is a beverage common in many Pacific island nations that can help numb and relax you.
Small direct-to-conumer brands have started selling their own versions of the beverage.
I tried some of them to see whether they worked and what they tasted like.

Drinks with added adaptogens or other ingredients that claim to benefit well-being are growing in popularity. But it's not always clear if they're effective.