CBD and CBD drinks becoming UK most popular Supplements

CBD and CBD Drinks Becoming the UK’s Most Popular Supplements

The cannabis plant extract CBD has evolved from niche beginnings in the UK to become one of the most popular supplements on the high street. Originally launched as a cannabis extract available in specialty shops, its popularity grew primarily through word of mouth, as there has long been a ban on advertising the extract on mainstream social media platforms and search engines such as Google and its shopping service. Despite this ban, the power of viral marketing has taken over, and it is now the most popular supplement in national health food shops like Holland and Barrett.

The Organic Growth

This organic growth has occurred despite the fact that no health claims can be made by those who retail the goods. This ruling was made by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK, which states that CBD is a novel food and, as there are no comprehensive medical studies, it is forbidden to make claims such as reducing anxiety, stress, or helping with pain relief and sleep. This creates a real conundrum for retailers and brands: how can you promote a product when you can’t say anything positive about it? Fortunately, word of mouth has done the promotional work for CBD, as users share their positive experiences with friends and relatives.

CBD Revolution

One of the great success stories of the CBD revolution has been its adoption by all age groups, perhaps due to the widely reported end-user benefits. Millennials and younger consumers have been attracted by the reputed mental health and anxiety-reducing benefits of its consumption, while older users, particularly the golden generation, have been drawn to its pain relief benefits, especially for those suffering from painful joints such as knees and hips.

When CBD first entered the market, it was available as an oil, often in its raw format, which was considered an acquired taste. Users would simply drop it into their mouth beneath their tongue, while more adventurous consumers would add a couple of drops to their daily cup of coffee. As the market has become more established, entrepreneurs have created a never-ending stream of new products and flavours, aiming to become the go-to way to consume CBD. Flavoured oils and tinctures, such as lemon and camomile and ginger and hibiscus, have been developed to appeal to those with more sophisticated palates.

CBD Drinks: The Biggest Growing Trend

Perhaps the biggest growing trend has been the CBD drinks market. This comes as no surprise; we all need water every day, so a cold or hot drink makes perfect sense as a vehicle for CBD. The sheer size of the brands and variations in flavours and strengths is a testament to the popularity of CBD drinks and the ingenuity of the UK business world. While some companies have produced niche flavours such as cucumber and mint to appeal to a narrow demographic, others have produced more mainstream flavours such as lemon and lime, and orange, hoping to attract a broader audience.

As the UK market continues to develop, the dark cloud of legislation still hovers in the background. The UK Food Standards Agency has given until the end of March 2021 for producers of CBD products to complete a series of lab tests to prove their items are fit and safe for human consumption. The process is highly expensive and threatens to eliminate many of the smaller players from the market as they may not be able to afford the cost of compliance.