The “sleepy girl mocktail” is just what it sounds like—a fizzy cherry concoction meant to lull you to sleep. This homemade tipple has taken over TikTok (and Sleepytime tea’s spot on many nightstands). The question of whether it actually works remains up for scientific debate, however. Many sleep experts argue that any benefits people may experience are probably from a placebo effect.
This drink is no “miracle drug,” says Thomas Kilkenny, director of the Institute of Sleep Medicine at Staten Island University Hospital. Although the mixture’s tart cherry juice can contain a trace of naturally occurring melatonin, Kilkenny says its inclusion probably has more to do with taste than sleep. The recipe also typically calls for sparkling water, which provides nothing beyond a pleasant fizz. But the mocktail’s star ingredient—and the likely source for any true improvement in sleep quality—is a common essential mineral: magnesium.
Social media health influencers have recently brought magnesium back into the spotlight with supplements in the form of capsules, powdered “mood-boosting” drinks, sleep-aid gummies and now sleep mocktails. And while TikTok has carried a range of dubious health advice, there is scientific merit to upping your magnesium levels. The nutrient, in appropriate amounts, is vital to human health—from energy production to bone strength to blood pressure regulation.
On supporting science journalism
If you’re enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
How does magnesium help the body?
If there were a jack-of-all-trades mineral, many researchers would give the honor to magnesium. It’s involved in more than 300 enzyme reactions in the body, according to the National Institutes of Health.
One of magnesium’s most important roles is to relax muscles. It…
Read the full article here
