Can a ‘Cortisol Cocktail' Help Relieve Stress?
Its proponents say the drink, made from fruit juice, coconut water and salt, can help reverse a condition they call 'adrenal fatigue.' When you are chronically stressed, some influencers say, your adrenal glands will produce more of the hormone cortisol, causing the glands to become overworked and to start functioning poorly (or not at all). This, they add, can result in symptoms like fatigue, sleep issues and cravings for sweet and salty foods.
Will the cortisol cocktail help you feel better? We asked five experts for their thoughts.
What is cortisol?
Cortisol is often called the stress hormone because it prepares your body to respond to threatening situations, but it also plays other important roles, including regulating metabolism, energy levels and circadian rhythms.
The adrenal glands — two tiny, triangle-shaped organs that sit on top of your kidneys — release cortisol every day, said Dr. Irina Bancos, an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Cortisol is highest in the morning, which helps you feel alert, and lowest in the evening, which lets you rest.
When something stressful happens — say, you need to sprint to catch a bus or give an impromptu presentation at work — your adrenal glands produce extra cortisol. This increases the amount of glucose in your bloodstream so your body can use the sugar for quick energy. It also reduces the urge to use the bathroom so you can focus on the threat, Dr. Bancos said.
Cortisol surges are helpful for stressful situations that occur in brief bursts. But with longer-term stressors, such as demanding jobs or difficult family circumstances, your cortisol levels may remain elevated — including at night, when it can affect your sleep, Dr. Bancos said. Poor sleep can cause symptoms that the cortisol cocktail is meant to address, like fatigue and food cravings.
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