MUMBAI: Reliance Industries is betting big on India’s growing thirst for healthy drinks, snapping up a majority stake in Naturedge Beverages, maker of the herbal functional drink Shunya. The deal marks the latest move by Mukesh Ambani’s conglomerate to build a beverage empire that can rival Coca-Cola and PepsiCo in the world’s most populous country.
The acquisition brings Shunya—a zero-sugar, zero-calorie drink packed with ayurvedic herbs like ashwagandha and brahmi—into Reliance Consumer Products’ expanding stable. The brand has caught on with health-conscious Indians seeking alternatives to sugary sodas, tapping into ancient wellness traditions that promise stress relief and mental clarity.
Founder of Naturedge and scion of the century-old Baidyanath Group ayurvedic empire Siddhesh Sharma launched Shunya in 2018 with the aim of making traditional herbs palatable to modern consumers. “Super-herbs like ashwagandha and brahmi not only act as natural stress-relievers but also boost strength, stamina and focus,” he said.
For Reliance, the deal is part of a broader push to dominate India’s beverages market. Since launching its consumer products arm in 2022, it has gobbled up the nostalgic Campa Cola brand and rolled out energy drinks and flavoured waters. The company is chasing what it calls a “total beverage portfolio” to capture Indian wallets from morning chai to evening refreshers.
Reliance Consumer Products executive director Ketan Mody said the partnership would help promote “India’s legacy” while offering quality products at affordable prices. With Reliance’s vast distribution network, Shunya could soon be available in corner shops from Mumbai to Chennai.
The move reflects a broader trend as Indian consumers increasingly embrace functional foods and beverages that promise health benefits beyond basic nutrition. As lifestyles become more stressful and wellness awareness grows, traditional remedies repackaged in modern formats are finding eager buyers.
Whether Reliance can crack the code on healthy drinks remains to be seen. But with deep pockets and distribution muscle, it’s certainly willing to pay for the privilege of trying.
