BBDA >HUGE CHICAGO FOX NEWZZZ INTERVIEW//CHICAGO (FOX32 News) -
The relaxation drink revolution is on the rise and so are questions about its effects and effectiveness. The anti-energy drinks are in the soda isle and boast it's an alternative to booze, medicine and more.
"I'm drinking at the moment, KOMA Unwind Zero and we also have the KOMA shot which is the two ounce," KOMA Unwind CEO Brian Weber says in an interview via Skype with Fox 32's Tisha Lewis.
The claims are bold: five hours of relaxation just minutes after the first sip. The recent rise in relaxation drinks has many asking, does it work?
"Oh it definitely works," Weber says.
FOX 32 Skyped with Weber who said last year the company made more than $4 million and in the last three months, revenue has doubled.
And he's not alone. One Hyde Park convenient store was sold out of Marley's Mellow Mood, another anti-energy drink in the booming relaxation beverage market.
This is a drink that we move fast here," employee Sam Albo tells FOX 32. "We'll take the order right now for a couple, three days, four days, the people really like it."
But Dr. David Zich is not sold.
"They contain a bunch of different compounds to help us relax," Dr. Zich explains. " They include melatonin, cava, valerian root, there's eltheanene which is in green tea leaves. However, they're not all exactly what they're chalked up to be.
Zich says the compounds degrade quickly in liquid, melatonin can have harmful side effects and the ingredient levels are too low to truly create a relaxation effect.
"I don't know in particular what product he tried but our product without a doubt, 30 minutes and you have to surrender because our product works and it works very well," Weber says. "It doesn't put you to sleep but it offers you relaxation.
"Taken with the proper precautions, it should be fine. In fact most of these drinks should be safe but they may not be worth your money," Dr. Zich adds.
Tell that to the 31,000 plus Facebook fans of KOMA Unwind. Its Facebook page is filled with success stories, plus the CEO says he sent a case to Oprah's camp and X-Factor host Mario Lopez.