Have you seen the “sleepy girl mocktail” trend on social media? This mocktail claims to leave you well rested if you drink it right before bed, but is it really worth all the hype?
First off, you might be wondering what a mocktail even is. A mocktail is a non-alcoholic cocktail resembling the look of a traditional alcoholic beverage and is often served in a cocktail or wine glass. The ingredients of a sleepy girl mocktail consist of 1/2 cup tart cherry juice, 1 tablespoon of magnesium powder (or a serving equivalent to 200 mg) and a prebiotic soda or sparkling water to top the drink. It is prepared by mixing the magnesium powder and tart cherry juice together and then adding ice and your preferred carbonated beverage.
Let’s dive into these potentially sleep-inducing ingredients.
Tart cherry Juice
Tart cherry juice is chock full of good nutrients such as phytonutrients and flavonoids. But you might be wondering what is it about tart cherry juice that gives this drink its sleepy vibes? There are two compounds that may contribute to a good rest after sipping your mocktail: tryptophan and melatonin. Both of those compounds have properties that may help you feel tired and can help you fall asleep faster.
When selecting your tart cherry juice for your sleep girl mocktail, choose one without any added sugars.
Prebiotic soda
Prebiotic soda or sparkling water is mostly a flavor enhancer or filler for the drink, and it does not actually contribute to your rest. However, these options are not without their benefits.
Adding a little fizz to a drink can make it more appealing and dilute stronger flavors of other ingredients. Since sparkling water contains no calories or added sugar, it makes for a great addition to increase the volume of a drink. Sparkling water is also hydrating and counts towards your daily total fluid intake.
Prebiotic soda is typically lower in calories and added sugars than traditional sodas with the added benefit of prebiotics. Prebiotics are a type of fiber that act as food for the good bacteria in the gut. Poppi or Olipop are fun prebiotic soda options. These beverages enhance the mocktail by adding sweetness and different flavors. Use any brand when choosing your carbonated beverage option, just keep an eye out for the added sugar amount in your beverage and avoid any drinks with caffeine content.
Magnesium
Unlike most mocktails, the sleepy girl mocktail does contain the supplement magnesium. Magnesium is slightly a broad term, as there are many different types of magnesium on the market, and choosing the wrong one might actually keep you awake…or in the bathroom.
- Magnesium citrate is known to have a laxative effect, which is great if you are constipated but not ideal when you are trying to get a good night of sleep.
- Magnesium bisglycinate is much gentler on your digestive track and the ideal pick for your mocktail.
When using a supplement, always consult your health care provider first, even if it is a trend on TikTok.
Does magnesium help you sleep?
Some research has shown that magnesium may have a positive effect on sleep, but not all studies were conclusive. The upper limit of magnesium supplementation is 350 mg per day, so make sure your mocktail does not exceed that limit. Try to stay with a dose of 200 mg or less in your sleepy girl mocktail. Magnesium is also readily found in many foods, including green leafy vegetables, nuts, legumes, seeds and whole grains. If you’re not in the mood for a mocktail, an ounce of roasted pumpkin seeds contains 156 mg of magnesium and could be an easy pre-bedtime snack to help you fall asleep.
Is it worth the hype?
While the sleepy girl mocktail may have some merit in its claims to help get a good night’s rest, it is important to remember that everyone reacts to things differently and what works for one person may not work for everyone. As fun as it is to drink a mocktail, there are a lot of other lifestyle changes you can make to improve sleep quality like reducing caffeine, exercising and limiting screen time before bed.
Try it yourself!
If you’re interested in exploring the sleepy girl mocktail for yourself, try this fresh citrus-infused recipe!
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