Can social media's sleepy girl mocktail really help you get better rest?
| Healthy You | Wellness | Recipes
A before-bed drink may help you doze off sooner and sleep well.
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.
Is the "sleepy girl mocktail" right for you?
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.
How to make a "sleepy girl mocktail" at home
Stir together the following ingredients:
- ½ cup of pure tart cherry juice
- 1 tablespoon of magnesium glycinate powder
- A splash of prebiotic soda or sparkling water
The powder may clump in or float on the liquid. The sparkling water may help it mix in.
If you’re concerned with how this beverage may work for you, talk with your primary care doctor before trying it. If you have a condition like diabetes you may want to ask whether the amount of sugar is okay for you.
Cecelia Jacobson RD
Cecelia Jacobson, RD, LD, CDCES, is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist for PeaceHealth in Oregon. She has been providing adult nutrition counseling and diabetes education for more than 20 years. Cecelia also conducts monthly cooking demonstrations, health fairs, and wellness outreach. She is passionate about helping her patients obtain sustainable diet and lifestyle changes in line with their goals. Cecelia grew up near Bellingham, Washington and graduated from Bastyr University. When she is not at work, you can find her outdoors or volunteering. She has ridden Cycle Oregon multiple times on the Candle Lighters, Ride For a Child team. She also loves to camp, hike and tend to her small garden to create culinary experiments at home.
