Kevin Harrington, an original “Shark” from the Emmy Award-winning TV show Shark Tank and the brains behind the “As Seen on TV” brand, has announced his latest venture— an early investment in the emerging alcohol detox drink, unbuzzd. Harrington, who has launched over 1,000 products across more than 100 countries, generating over $6 billion in global sales, sees unbuzzd as a potential game-changer in the functional beverage market.
“It’s a revolution in how we recover from alcohol,” Harrington claims.
Harrington describes unbuzzd as more than just a hangover remedy, describing the detox drink as a “disruptive innovation built on science,” aimed at transforming how people think about alcohol recovery. Unlike traditional hangover cures that simply alleviate symptoms, unbuzzd takes a proactive approach by helping the body process alcohol more efficiently. The goal is to restore mental clarity, boost cognitive function, and allow consumers to enjoy alcohol responsibly while still waking up feeling refreshed the next day.
The research and development team at Quantum Biopharma, the biopharmaceutical company behind unbuzzd, emphasizes that the unique formula of natural ingredients is what sets the product apart from the competition. Quantum Biopharma is already known for its work in neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders, and they’ve applied their expertise to create a drink that goes beyond simple hydration.
Unbuzzd contains a carefully crafted blend of electrolytes— more than most leading sports drinks— along with vitamins, green tea extract, phenylalanine, and milk thistle. Together, these ingredients are designed to quickly reduce hangover symptoms by supporting hydration, detoxification, and mental clarity— all within 30 minutes.
The formula is delivered in “Clear-Eyed Citrus” flavor, available in stick packs or in a soon-to-launch 12oz ready-to-drink can, available on Amazon. The tagline, “Through Science, Find Clarity,” reflects the product’s mission to combat common post-drinking issues like dehydration, brain fog, and sluggishness.
A Closer Look at the Ingredients
Unbuzzd’s natural ingredients each play a vital role in promoting recovery after alcohol consumption. Green tea, for example, is rich in antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress and support detoxification, while its hydrating properties— combined with the metabolism-boosting effects of caffeine and L-theanine— help alleviate hangover symptoms and enhance mental clarity.
Milk thistle, another key ingredient, contains silymarin, a compound that supports liver function by aiding in the repair of liver cells damaged by alcohol. This detoxifying agent is well known in natural medicine for promoting liver health.
Phenylalanine, an essential amino acid found in unbuzzd, helps produce neurotransmitters like dopamine, which can restore mental balance and improve mood after binge drinking. It also plays a role in reducing alcohol-related fatigue by helping replenish neurotransmitter levels that may be depleted from excessive alcohol intake.
The formula also contains Dihydromyricetin (DHM), extracted from the fruit of the Japanese raisin tree, which accelerates the body’s alcohol metabolism while offering the added benefit of protecting the liver. Meanwhile, Methylliberine, a compound isolated from sources like coffee beans, tea, cola nuts, guarana, cocoa, and yerba mate, is known for boosting energy, enhancing concentration, improving motivation, and elevating mood.
A New Era in Functional Beverages
The makers of unbuzzd believe that 2024 will mark the beginning of a new era for functional beverages aimed at supporting overall wellness after social occasions. With the U.S. functional beverage market booming, the product is entering a competitive but promising space.
According to NielsenIQ, the U.S. functional beverage market saw over 53,000 unique UPC codes last year, spanning a wide range of drinks like energy drinks, sports beverages, shakes, teas, and more. These drinks are promoted for their health-boosting benefits, ranging from mental clarity to physical performance.
Unbuzzd, with its focus on alcohol recovery, is poised to tap into this growing trend. The rising popularity of detox products among fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious consumers is expected to drive significant market growth in the coming years. Tastewise reports that interest in hydrating foods and beverages grew by 12.8% last year alone.
“Why are alcohol drinkers reaching for recovery drinks? Because life goes on after cocktails,” says John Duffy, CEO of Celly Nutrition and former executive at Coca-Cola. Duffy believes unbuzzd meets a critical consumer need by helping people enjoy their social lives without suffering the next day.
Strategic Growth and Market Expansion
As of 2023, the global detox drinks market was valued at USD 5.36 billion, and it’s projected to grow to USD 9.66 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.95%. In the U.S. alone, the detox market is expected to reach USD 2.08 billion by 2032, largely driven by the demand for healthier, non-carbonated beverages.
Quantum Biopharma strategically spun off unbuzzd to Celly Nutrition, retaining a 25.71% stake in the company. Celly Nutrition has since secured a master distribution agreement with FUSION Consulting Group, a leading distributor of health-conscious food and beverages across Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and parts of Central and South America.
This partnership is expected to bring unbuzzd to key vacation destinations, where alcohol consumption is often part of the experience. Through FUSION’s distribution network, unbuzzd will reach major retailers like Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Costco, and others.
“Having been a part of many game-changing products, including Celsius, I believe unbuzzd is the next big innovation in the consumer products space,” says Gerry David, Co-Chair of Celly Nutrition’s Board and former CEO of Celsius Holdings, Inc.
Harrington, who was instrumental in the creation of Celsius’ influencer marketing program and has been involved in some of the world’s most successful consumer products, agrees. With unbuzzd, he sees a groundbreaking product that could revolutionize the way people recover from alcohol, helping them enjoy life while staying in control.
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