Can social media's sleepy girl mocktail really help you get better rest?
| Healthy You | Eating Right | Wellness
A before-bed drink could help you doze off sooner and sleep well.
Curious how the internet-famous “sleepy girl mocktail” may work for you? Learn some of the science behind the combination of ingredients and get the recipe in our article.
Are you finding yourself counting sheep more often than you used to? According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one-third of adults don’t get enough sleep.
You've probably heard the old standby tips. Turn off the TV or other electronics. And stick to a schedule. There's nothing wrong with those tried-and-true pointers, but have you seen the viral sleep drink?
It’s called the “sleepy girl mocktail,” although any adult can drink it.
So, is it right for you and how do you make it?
The drink contains magnesium powder, tart cherry juice and prebiotic soda or sparkling water. What is it about this combination of ingredients that makes it work?
“Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxer. It may promote physical and mental relaxation. There are different kinds of magnesium. Magnesium glycinate promotes relaxation while magnesium citrate can have a laxative effect which could hinder sleep,” says Cecelia Jacobson, a PeaceHealth registered dietitian in Springfield, Oregon. For this recipe, you’ll want to choose magnesium glycinate. Taking 300 milligrams each night may help get better quality sleep.
Tart cherry juice may be the unexpected ingredient in the recipe. But did you know that tart cherries naturally have tryptophan (an amino acid) and melatonin (a sleep hormone)?
“Both sweet cherries and tart cherries are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Tart cherries, or Montmorency, contain some additional nutrients which may be why they help you get better sleep,” says Jacobson. Drinking up to 16 ounces of their juice each day before bed has been shown to help with sleep.
The addition of a prebiotic soda or sparkling water helps to dilute the magnesium powder and tart cherry juice. Plus, it adds a refreshing bubble to the drink.
Want to give it a try? The recipe for the sleepy girl mocktail is:
- ½ cup of pure tart cherry juice
- 1 tablespoon of magnesium glycinate powder
- A splash of prebiotic soda or sparkling water
If you’re concerned with how this beverage may work for you, talk with your primary care provider before trying it. If you have a condition like diabetes you may want to ask whether the amount of sugar is okay for you.
