The internet buzz around "cortisol cocktails" – drinks often featuring adaptogens, vitamins, and other purported stress-reducing and metabolism-boosting ingredients – raises questions about their actual effectiveness for stress management and weight loss.

While these concoctions might offer a temporary sense of well-being, the scientific evidence supporting their significant impact on cortisol levels and weight is largely lacking.

The Claim: Proponents suggest these cocktails help lower cortisol (the "stress hormone"), which is often implicated in weight gain, by promoting relaxation and improving metabolic function.

Ingredients commonly found include: Adaptogens (e.

g.

, ashwagandha, rhodiola): These herbs are traditionally used to help the body adapt to stress.

While some studies suggest potential benefits, more rigorous research is needed to confirm their impact on cortisol and weight.

The effects can vary significantly between individuals and dosages.

Vitamins (e.

g.

, B vitamins, vitamin C): These are essential for various bodily functions, including stress response and metabolism.

However, a deficiency is typically necessary to see a noticeable improvement in symptoms with supplementation.

Other ingredients: This can include things like collagen, electrolytes, or caffeine, each with its own purported benefits, but not necessarily directly related to cortisol regulation or fat loss.

The Reality: Limited scientific evidence: Many claims surrounding cortisol cocktails lack robust scientific backing.

Most studies on the individual ingredients are small, use varying methodologies, or focus on specific populations.

There's little to no research directly examining the combined effects of these ingredients in a "cocktail" format.

Cortisol's complexity: Cortisol plays a crucial role in numerous bodily processes.

Simply lowering it isn't necessarily beneficial and could have unintended consequences.

Chronic stress is a complex issue, and a simple drink isn't a holistic solution.

Weight loss is multifaceted: Weight loss is primarily determined by caloric intake versus expenditure.

While stress can influence appetite and metabolism, a "cortisol cocktail" is unlikely to be a significant factor in successful, sustainable weight loss.

Lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, are far more impactful.

Placebo effect: The perceived benefits might be partially attributable to the placebo effect – the belief that something will work can influence the outcome.

The ritual of preparing and consuming the drink, and the associated self-care aspect, could contribute to a feeling of improved well-being.

Conclusion: While some ingredients in cortisol cocktails may offer individual benefits, the claim that they significantly reduce cortisol and promote weight loss is largely unsupported by scientific evidence.

For stress management, consider evidence-based approaches like therapy, mindfulness, exercise, and sufficient sleep.

For weight loss, focus on a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and potentially consulting a registered dietitian or healthcare professional.

Cortisol cocktails might offer a temporary mood boost for some, but they shouldn't be considered a primary solution for stress or weight management.

Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

The internet's has prompted a new trending concoction dubbed the "cortisol cocktail" that users claim can reduce stress and even help with weight loss.

Also referred to as an "adrenal cocktail," the drink has some variations across social media but mainly consists of orange or lemon juice, coconut water and a bit of sea salt. 

Experts say there's no evidence this drink can significantly reduce stress or weight by lowering cortisol levels, but the ingredients do offer some nutritional benefits that may give drinkers a boost.

"As soon as I saw the ingredients, I was like, this looks remarkably similar to a sports drink you would mix up," Lindsay Malone, an integrative and functional medicine dietitian and nutrition instructor at , told TheNews. "Juice, sodium, some potassium, so a little bit of sugar, some electrolytes in a fluid... I just wonder, if some of the benefits are just that, generally, people are dehydrated, and so maybe they get a little blood sugar boost, and then also some electrolytes to rehydrate them. Maybe that's part of the pull for this."

"Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress and plays a key role in regulating metabolism, inflammation, blood sugar levels and even sleep-wake cycles," said Avery Zenker, a registered dietitian . 

Cortisol often gets a bad reputation, she said, but it's essential for survival. 

"The key is balancing it effectively rather than attempting to eliminate it. Cortisol levels should naturally change and cycle through the day, ideally with a spike in the morning to help us feel awake and ready to go, and lower in the evening when it's time for sleep," Zender said. 

Since hormone levels are constantly changing, the idea of a "hormone imbalance" is kind of misleading, said Christine Byrne, dietitian and owner of .

"If you think there's something wrong with your hormone levels, it's so, so important to seek the help of an endocrinologist instead of trying to do your own research to diagnose and treat yourself," Byrne said. "Lots of influencers and wellness companies prey off people with difficult-to-diagnose symptoms by blaming these symptoms on vague problems like hormone imbalance or adrenal fatigue, then selling a supposed solution. But most of this stuff isn't evidence-based or thoroughly tested."

"The cortisol cocktail is one of these wellness trends that might sound appealing to people who are looking for a solution to a difficult health problem like stress, but there's just no backing behind it," Byrne said. 

So while people shouldn't look at the mixture as a miracle cure for stress or weight loss, Malone said the drink is harmless to try and contains ingredients that do have some nutritional benefits. 

For example, orange juice contains vitamin C which help support the immune system, coconut water is hydrating and contains potassium (as does cream of tartar, another often featured ingredient of the mix) and sea salt can replenish sodium levels when electrolytes are low.

But, you can get these benefits from other avenues like whole foods, which can have additional benefts. Fruit juice and coconut water, for example, are high in sugar and lack fiber compared with whole fruit, Zenker said.

Most people get enough sodium, Malone said, but potassium can be found in fruits and vegetables and magnesium, another electrolyte, is found in whole grains and legumes.

While stress can influence weight and body composition, it's important to remember there are multiple factors at play when it comes to lowering stress or losing weight — not something achieved solely through a daily dose of a "cortisol cocktail" or other trendy cure-all.

"For most people, the bottom line is not moving enough and eating too many calories," Malone said of weight loss.

And the best way to support healthy cortisol levels? A balanced approach, Zenker said, including a nutritious diet, regular exercise, staying hydrated, quality sleep and managing stress. 

"For most people, focusing on these things is more significant than making a specific beverage," she said.