Latest news with #adrenalfatigue
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The Viral Cortisol Cocktail Claims to Reduce Stress—But Does It Really Work?
If you're feeling stressed or worn out, sipping on a 'cortisol cocktail' could be the fix you're looking for, according to some health accounts on TikTok and Instagram. There are several variations of the drink, but the main ingredients include orange juice, coconut water, salt, and cream of tartar. Some cortisol cocktail enthusiasts claim that this combination can help lower cortisol levels and alleviate adrenal fatigue, ultimately increasing energy levels. But is there any merit to this claim? We asked experts for their take on this buzzy beverage. What is adrenal fatigue and how does it relate to cortisol? First, it helps to understand how your adrenal glands function. The glands sit on top of the kidneys and produce several hormones, including cortisol, adrenaline, and aldosterone, explains Pooja Gidwani, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician in Los Angeles. 'Cortisol is often referred to as the 'stress hormone' but it plays many roles beyond stress,' Dr. Gidwani says. 'It helps regulate blood sugar, inflammation, blood pressure, and even your body's energy levels.' According to social media videos, high cortisol can contribute to low energy and brain fog, which some people describe as adrenal fatigue. But, Dr. Gidwani says thinking about cortisol in terms of 'high' and 'low' isn't entirely accurate. And cortisol has been wrongly demonized, although it's an essential hormone. Cortisol is naturally highest in the morning, which helps you wake up and decreases throughout the day, she explains. 'Rather than aiming to lower cortisol, which has become a popular, but misleading, wellness goal, the real aim should be to support healthy cortisol rhythms,' Dr. Gidwani says. 'That means prioritizing things like morning sunlight, exercise in the morning, hydration, and a protein-rich breakfast, and consistent sleep and stress management habits." It's also important to know that adrenal fatigue isn't a recognized medical diagnosis. 'It's more of a wellness term used to describe nonspecific symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and burnout, which are often caused by poor sleep, chronic stress, under-eating, or blood sugar instability,' Dr. Gidwani explains. However, adrenal insufficiency is a medical condition that happens when the adrenal glands don't produce enough cortisol. That is typically caused by autoimmune disease, such as Addison's disease, pituitary dysfunction, or steroid withdrawal, according to Dr. Gidwani. Adrenal insufficiency is a serious medical condition that can't be fixed with mocktails or supplements. Related: How to Make a Homemade Sports Drink That's So Much Healthier Than Store-Bought Does the cortisol cocktail have any benefits? If someone is feeling run-down or depleted, this drink might offer a little pick-me-up through hydration and electrolyte support, says Valerie Agyeman, RDN, women's health dietitian and founder of Flourish Heights. 'Orange juice and coconut water provide vitamin C and potassium nutrients that can support overall hydration and energy levels, which can feel helpful if you're under stress,' Agyeman says. The salt provides sodium, which helps maintain proper fluid balance and nerve function, according to Dr. Gidwani. That said, the beverage is a temporary fix. 'The mocktail may help someone feel better short term by improving hydration and electrolyte status, but it doesn't address the underlying causes,' Dr. Gidwani says. Although the drink is relatively safe, people with allergies to the ingredients, kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart failure, or those taking diuretics should be cautious due to the potassium and sodium content, according to Dr. Gidwani. And those with heart or kidney issues should be careful when using cream of tartar, which can be dangerous for them in large amounts, she advises. Read the original article on Real Simple
New York Times
10-07-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Can a ‘Cortisol Cocktail' Help Relieve Stress?
Feeling overwhelmed or sluggish? Can't sleep? Craving junk food? According to some on social media, the 'cortisol cocktail' may be just what you need. 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. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The National
04-07-2025
- Health
- The National
'De-stress and fat-busting': What is in the cortisol cocktail and does it work?
A new social media health trend claims to not only reduce stress, but also your waistline. But is it a dream come true, or too good to be true? Well, it depends on who you ask. The cortisol cocktail is the latest internet elixir to win fans and detractors in equal measure amid claims it helps boost energy, reduce the effects of stress on the body and promote weight loss, particularly in stubborn areas such as the stomach, hips and thighs. Also known as an 'adrenal cocktail', the drink consists of only four ingredients – orange juice, coconut water, cream of tartar and salt. It has been hailed as a salve for the adrenal glands, which enjoyed their time in the social media spotlight last year, when the medically indefinable 'adrenal fatigue' began trending. 'Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys,' says Dr Kishore Kumar Katam, consultant endocrinologist at RAK Hospital. 'It plays a critical role in the body's response to stress, as part of the 'fight or flight' mechanism. It helps regulate metabolism, blood sugar levels, inflammation and blood pressure.' Cortisol's role in the body Typically released in response to stress and low blood glucose levels, the production of cortisol is controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is highly sensitive to both physical and psychological stressors. Linked to visceral fat surrounding internal organs and obesity, elevated cortisol levels can cause an increase in appetite and promote fat storage in the abdominal area. 'Excess cortisol can cause central obesity, muscle wasting, insulin resistance, hypertension, osteoporosis, mood disorders and increased cardiovascular risk,' says Dr Nevin Sadeep, specialist endocrinology at Aster Clinic in Dubai Silicon Oasis. 'Both excess and deficiency of cortisol have significant clinical consequences, with a deficiency linked to fatigue, weight loss, hypotension, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia and risk of adrenal crisis under stress. Maintaining cortisol within a physiologic range is essential for metabolic stability and stress resilience.' What's in a cortisol cocktail and does it work? The cocktail ingredients can vary, but the most popular are typically orange juice, coconut water, cream of tartar and salt. Taken individually and in moderation, each can play a beneficial role in a balanced diet. 'Coconut water is rich in electrolytes like potassium, which supports hydration and may help reduce stress-related fatigue,' says Dr Hala Youssef Hamdy, specialist endocrinologist at RAK Hospital. 'Orange juice is high in vitamin C, which plays a role in reducing oxidative stress and may help modulate cortisol after acute stress; salt contains trace minerals and sodium, which can support adrenal function in cases of deficiency, and cream of tartar is a source of potassium, but its impact on cortisol specifically is unclear and not well-studied. These ingredients may support overall wellness, but their effects on cortisol are indirect and not medically proven.' While there's no scientific evidence that cortisol cocktails can directly regulate or reduce cortisol production, ingredients that support hydration and blood sugar stability can help the body respond better to stress, which can lead to less fatigue. 'There is no evidence from controlled clinical studies indicating that beverages such as the cortisol cocktail have any clinically meaningful or sustained impact on circulating cortisol levels,' says Dr Sadeep. 'Any perceived benefit is more likely related to improved hydration and subjective relaxation than to direct hormonal effects."
