2024-01-31 06:30:20
Videos about the ‘sleepy girl mocktail’ with cherry juice, magnesium and sparkling water are viewed millions of times on TikTok. The drink is said to help you fall asleep faster. And that can be useful, because about half of Belgians occasionally have trouble sleeping. Is the cherry cocktail really a miracle cure? Sleep expert Johan Verbraecken (UZA) tells us.
After the extensive dinners during the holidays, we like to focus on new goals and a healthier lifestyle in the new year. ‘Dry January’ and ‘Tournée Minérale’ are good examples of this: the challenges encourage you not to drink alcohol for the entire month in January or February. Mocktails are therefore more popular than ever.
The ‘sleepy girl mocktail’ would even combine the best of both worlds: an alcohol-free me-time moment and the guarantee of a deep sleep. The mocktail recipe is very simple. Fill a glass about two-thirds full with cherry juice without added sugar. Add a generous spoonful of magnesium powder, along with some sparkling water and ice cubes for a nice cocktail effect. The cherry juice and magnesium powder in particular should ensure that you sleep faster and better.
“Don’t think it’s a miracle cure”
Is there really a link between cherry juice and a good night’s sleep? “Cherries are a natural source of melatonin. If you have enough melatonin in your blood in the evening, you become sleepy,” confirms Professor Verbraecken, sleep expert at the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) and author of the book ‘Sleep, the new medicine’. “Cherries can therefore be a reason why you sleep better. Unfortunately, it is not clear how much you should eat to get enough benefit from it. It may well be that you have to eat a lot of cherries to feel an effect.”
According to TikTok, magnesium also works wonders in the cocktail. “Magnesium powder will indeed lead to more relaxation, which can help you fall asleep faster. It can be a nice solution, especially for restless sleepers,” says Professor Verbraecken. “But don’t think that magnesium is a panacea. It won’t make you sleep deeper or better unless you are a very tense person. But as a restless sleeper, it is better to look for stronger alternatives.”
Bananas, fish and oatmeal
What other food or drink works better for a good night’s sleep? “Bananas are a good start,” says the sleep expert. “They contain a lot of magnesium and especially tryptophan: an important amino acid that stimulates sleep. Fish species such as salmon, shrimp, halibut and cod also contain a lot of tryptophan. Linseed, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and walnuts have a lot of magnesium. You can also try oatmeal: it contains melatonin and has a calming effect. In general, it is best to eat protein-rich food.”
It is not a good idea to eat tomatoes or potatoes late at night.
Sleep expert Prof. dr. Johan Verbraecken
Johan Verbraecken gives some tips: “A healthy lifestyle is especially important. Make sure you get enough outdoor light during the day and exercise regularly. The most important thing is that you don’t eat too late, both for your digestion and for fat gain. The closer to your bedtime you eat, the greater the chance of an increase in your fat mass.”
“Don’t drink alcohol or soft drinks in the evening”
“Do you want to sleep better? Do not drink soft drinks, alcohol or energy drinks in the evening. It is also best not to eat greasy food or food rich in vitamin C too late in the evening. Eating foods containing tyramine, such as tomatoes or potatoes, is not a good idea because they stimulate the production of norepinephrine. This substance stimulates stress, causing your blood pressure to rise and your heart to beat faster. Falling asleep quickly will then be difficult.”
More anxiety due to the ‘sleepy girl mocktail’?
In some responses we read that the drink also has disadvantages. An anxious feeling, heartburn or vivid dreams: a lot of complaints appear on TikTok. “Nothing is scientifically known about such consequences of the drink. The complaints may be purely coincidental: a bit of a placebo effect. Individuals with insomnia who try the drink often have an underlying anxiety that causes more nightmares and digestive complaints. So it won’t be the drink itself. I don’t think there are any disadvantages linked to the mocktail, unless of course you are allergic to stone fruits.”
Also read:
“Don’t go to bed too early and don’t eat chocolate”: psychologist Annelies Smolders helps with sleep problems
Drink a nightcap to sleep better? Professor shares what you should (not) eat and drink for a good night’s sleep (+)
1 in 10 have restless leg syndrome but don’t know it: “Sleep disorder that should be taken seriously” (+)
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