A cocktail of fruit juices, sparkling water and vitamin powder might be the key to slashing stress hormones, influencers claim.

Social media influencers say they’ve concocted a viral ‘cocktail’ that lowers levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that triggers the body’s ‘fight-or-flight’ response. 

It also regulates metabolism, blood sugar, blood pressure, inflammation and sleep, among other functions. 

But too much cortisol can throw these processes into overdrive, leading to weight gain, heart disease, high cholesterol and infertility. 

But the ‘cortisol cocktail’ contains ingredients that could keep cortisol under control with a mix of coconut water, lemon, orange juice, sea salt and sparkling water. 

The finishing touch is about a teaspoon of magnesium, a mineral that supports nearly 300 bodily processes, including immune health, muscle function and energy production.

Doctors told DailyMail.com that while the drink’s ingredients all support relaxation and mood, they’re unlikely to significantly lower cortisol levels on their own. 

They suggested people with consistently high cortisol should instead focus on more proven strategies like exercise and eating a balanced diet. 

Influencers have claimed a viral ‘cocktail’ lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol, but doctors speaking to DailyMail.com expressed doubts (stock image)

Dr Charles Carlsen, an OBGYN and chief technology officer at DRSONO Medical, told this website: ‘While ingredients in the cortisol cocktail, like magnesium and coconut water, have recognized medical properties — magnesium stimulates a feeling of calm and coconut water is a hydrator — there is not a lot of scientific evidence to support arguments that a given drink lowers stress hormones significantly. 

‘The nutrients in these drinks may support overall good health but are not a cure-all when it comes to stress hormones.’

Dr Jeffrey Ditzell, a psychiatrist in New York City, added: ‘There is likely more hype than help with cortisol cocktails.’

Cortisol is known as the ‘stress hormone’ because it increases blood pressure and heart rate to put the body into ‘fight-or-flight’ mode and raises blood sugar levels to provide energy. 

Dr Daniel Atkinson, clinical lead at healthcare service company Treated, told DailyMail.com: ‘When you encounter stress, your body raises its cortisol levels. 

‘Cortisol also plays a part in regulating your blood pressure, immune system, and sleep-wake cycle.’

The hormone is produced by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys. Too little cortisol can send the body into an adrenal crisis, leading to low blood pressure, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, fever and trouble breathing.

But high cortisol levels can slow metabolism, raise cholesterol levels, increase heart rate and blood pressure and disrupt sleep, Dr Carlsen said. 

‘Concerns arise when someone has persistent symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, mood changes, or unexplained weight changes; especially if accompanied by physical signs like high blood pressure or abdominal weight gain.’

Dr Carlsen noted doctors can test for elevated cortisol with blood, saliva and urine samples.

Dr Angela Downey, a family physician at The Codependent Doctor, told DailyMail.com: ‘The tests are often done at specific times during the day as your cortisol naturally changes through the day.’

One of the cortisol cocktail’s main ingredients is about 200 milligrams of magnesium powder, which costs anywhere from $15 to $30 per tub, depending on the size. 

The recommended daily dose is about 400 to 420 milligrams for men and 310 to 320 milligrams for women.  

Dr Atkinson said while magnesium deficiency has been linked to high cortisol, ‘raising your magnesium levels won’t happen instantly by including around 200 milligrams of it in a drink.

‘There’s no guarantee how much magnesium in a supplement form your body will absorb, so if you know your magnesium levels are low, you’d probably be better off trying to include more magnesium-rich foods in your diet, such as whole grains, legumes and nuts.’

The cortisol cocktail contains coconut water, lemon and orange juice, magnesium powder, sea salt and sparkling water (stock image) 

Additionally, drinking multiple cortisol cocktails in a day could raise the risk of magnesium toxicity.

Dr Carlsen told this website: ‘Over intake of magnesium leads to diarrhea, stomach discomfort, and various gastrointestinal symptoms.’

He also added ‘excessive magnesium is also not good in kidney disease patients,’ as they can’t properly filter out magnesium and other nutrients. 

Even ingredients like fruit juice and sparkling water, Dr Atkinson said, could cause gastrointestinal discomfort, especially in people who have one of these drinks every day.  

Orange juice and coconut water, meanwhile, are hydrating and packed with inflammation-lowering vitamin C, they can also be high in added sugars, ‘which might not be ideal for people with insulin resistance, diabetes or PCOS,’ Dr Downey told this website. 

Dr Carlsen instead points to habits like diet and exercise and tried and true ways top lower cortisol. 

Moderate exercise like cycling, tennis and yoga, for example, is thought to reduce cortisol by producing mood-boosting hormones called endorphins and improving sleep quality. 

Foods rich in antioxidants like berries, dark chocolate and green tea also lower inflammation and prevent stress-induced cell damage.  

Dr Carlsen added: ‘While there is possible benefit with the hydrating and refreshing ingredients of a cortisol cocktail, it is not a definitive fix to low cortisol. Evidence-based remedies like a good-health lifestyle and stress relief are superior long-term fixes. 

‘Always consult with a healthcare specialist should you be concerned with your level of cortisol or general health.’