What is 'sleepy girl mocktail' and does it really work?

The luxury of a good sleep is of one not everyone can afford in the current world of hyperactivity and hustle.

According to several studies, 1/3 of adults struggle to get enough sleep, and it can easily be ascribed to poor work-life balance, or simply, fear of missing out on what one could perceive as better use of their time.

Sleep is one of the primary needs of our body. It sets the course for rest of the day, and an irregular sleep cycle is detrimental for both physical and mental health.

In the latest class of TikTok school of DIYS, influencers have come up with a drink they famously labeled, “sleepy girl mocktail,” with many swearing on its contribution to a good night’s sleep.

What is ‘sleepy girl mocktail’?

The recipe for the mocktail was originally posted by TikToker Calee Shea in January 2023, however, it recently went viral again after it was posted by Gracie Norton on the social media platform.

It has since been tested by various social media accounts, underscoring its credibility as an effective sleep tonic.

‘sleepy girl mocktail’ recipe:

The ingredients to make 'sleepy girl mocktail' are:

• ½ cup pure tart cherry juice

• 1 tablespoon of magnesium powder

• A splash of prebiotic soda (Shea and Norton used Olipop) or sparkling water

Just mix the aforementioned ingredients in order and you will have yourself a tangy concoction.

Does ‘sleepy girl mocktail’ actually work?

Speaking to TODAY.com, Samantha Cassetty, a registered dietitian based in New York City cited research to reveal that the ingredients used to make the mocktail indeed help in better sleep.

Tart Cherry Juice: 

Samantha explained: “Tart cherry juice has a high concentration of melatonin — the hormone that induces drowsiness at bedtime.”

The Sugar Shock author noted that nutrients in the juice, such as tryptophan and polyphenol antioxidents might also “play a role in supporting sleep.”

“There’s good evidence that drinking tart cherry juice can improve sleep duration and quality,” Cassetty confirmed.

Magnesium:

The food expert also jotted down the contribution of magnesium in better sleep, revealing it helps “prepare your body for sleep.”

“Magnesium (promotes) relaxation, and it’s also involved in regulating melatonin, which guides your sleep-wake cycle and kickstarts the feeling of sleepiness.”

“When you have adequate magnesium, you may feel calmer and have fewer physical symptoms of stress, making it easier to sleep,” added Samantha.

Prebiotic soda:

The dietician expressed uncertainty over the contribution of prebiotic soda in the otherwise helpful concoction, particularly due to its known characteristic to trigger digestive discomforts.

“While there is some evidence that prebiotics can support better sleep, prebiotic sodas are pricey, and it’s hard to say if they’d have any immediate impact,” Cassetty shared.

Hence, she recommended getting prebiotics from food by eating fiber-rich plant foods or simply using seltzer water in the recipe instead.

Conclusion:

Though helpful for sleep, ‘sleepy girl mocktail’ shouldn’t be your way out of unhealthy sleeping patterns. It is important to set a routine and follow through, while occasionally relying on the beverage to enhance sleep quality.

It is pertinent to note that the concoction might not be helpful in treating chronic insomnia, which is characterized by inability to sleep properly.

Consulting a doctor before adding supplements like magnesium to your lifestyle is also recommended.