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Experts Debunk Tiktok’s Sleepy Girl Mocktail

Discover Six Healthy Alternatives to the Sleepy Girl Mocktail
Julie Keller Callaghan

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TikTok trends may come and go, but the Sleepy Girl Mocktail seems to be hanging on. The recipe first rose to fame back in March 2023, when content creator Gracie Norton posted a TikTok claiming that the drink is a “match made in heaven for good sleep.” Online interest in the functional mocktail is still high today, according to Google Trends.

With the mocktail trending more than one year later, experts at beauty and wellness marketplace Fresha explored the health benefits and drawbacks of the Sleepy Girl Mocktail. It turns out that ingredients from the trending drink may cause increased blood sugar levels, stomach discomfort, and heartburn. 

It’s no secret that the Sleepy Girl Mocktail is delicious. The drink has three key ingredients, creating a combination of flavors that are a treat for any time of the day or night:   

  1. Start with around 120ml of pure tart cherry juice. According to Raj Dasgupta, M.D., at Huntington Health in Pasadena, CA, the juice contains melatonin, a natural compound that can improve sleep by relaxing muscles and relieving anxiety.   
  2. Next, add a tablespoon of magnesium powder. This mineral has also been proven to positively affect the nervous system by promoting melatonin and, in turn, aiding sleep. The Sleepy Girl Mocktail tastes even better with flavored magnesium.   
  3. The third and final ingredient is a probiotic carbonated drink. Probiotics introduce good bacteria into the gut, relieving discomfort, and no doubt, helping someone drift off to the land of nod.  

Debunking the Sleepy Girl Mocktail myth 

There’s a reason why the Sleepy Girl Mocktail tastes so delicious: sugar. In the 120ml of tart cherry juice that goes into the drink, there are around 16.4 grams of sugar. This weight is equivalent to four teaspoons, which can increase blood sugar levels and bring on a restless night’s sleep when consumed before bed.  

Secondly, using the correct magnesium supplement in a Sleepy Girl Mocktail is essential. Studies have proven that magnesium citrate can upset the stomach. However, magnesium glycinate is easier for the stomach to absorb, so it is the ideal supplement for a Sleepy Girl Mocktail.   

But what about the probiotic? There’s no question that probiotics will help gut health, but drinking a carbonated beverage before bed can cause bloating and increase the chances of heartburn, according to research by Peyton Berookim, M.D., at the Gastroenterology Institute of Southern California.   

Here are six alternative ways to improve sleep:

  1. Sleep hygiene: According to research, a consistent bedtime routine improves sleep quality as the repetitive activities inform the brain when it is time to rest. A typical routine should occur thirty minutes before bed, including activities such as reading, bathing, or listening to ambient noise.   
  2. Get out of bed: If a peaceful night’s sleep seems out of reach, standing up and moving around rather than laying awake in bed is best. Drowsiness should kick in within about 30 minutes, and sleep will eventually seem possible.   
  3. Lavender: Studies have shown that lavender is an anxiolytic, otherwise known as an anxiety reliever. The scent can promote calmness and increase sleep quality, whether it’s lavender pillow spray or oil.   
  4. Chamomile tea: Chamomile contains apigenin, an antioxidant that communicates with the brain’s receptors to promote sleepiness, which makes a cup of steaming chamomile tea perfect for bedtime.   
  5. Put down the phone: Technology, whether a phone, tablet or laptop, emits blue light that stops the body from producing melatonin. In other words, looking at a screen before bed can worsen sleep quality, so it’s best to stop scrolling come nighttime.  
  6. Enjoy the sunshine: Rich in vitamin D, making the most of sunlight during the day helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm and distinguish waking from sleeping hours. Then, when it’s time to rest and reset, falling asleep should be as simple.   
About The Author
julieKeller_author-1

Julie is the co-founder of Well Defined and a longtime influencer and advocate in the wellness world. Along with her work at Well Defined, she is an executive recruiter and marketing specialist for Hutchinson Consulting. She is also a consultant and content strategist for numerous wellness brands. She is the former editor-in-chief and publisher of American Spa and was named a 2019 Folio Top Woman in Media in the Industry Trailblazers category and a 2018 winner of ISPA’s Innovate Award. She is also a seasoned journalist, specializing in spa, travel, health, fitness, wellness, sustainability, and beauty. She has been published in Departures, ForbesTraveler.com, E! Online, Gayot.com, Insider’s Guide to Spas, Luxury Travel Advisor, Marin Magazine, Ocean Home, Smart Meetings, Spa Asia, and Travel Agent.