Sluggish? Irritable? Battling a poochy stomach?

A trend that’s gone viral – the cortisol or adrenal cocktail – purportedly is just the thing for women struggling with these challenges. A mixture of orange juice, coconut water, salt and cream of tartar, among other ingredients, the drink is supposed to increase your energy, reduce the effects of stress and promote weight loss.

But does it work?

Our expert, WellSpan nurse practitioner Taasha Guillemette, breaks it all down for you. Taasha specializes in treating women in mid-life, a time when women are often juggling families, jobs, aging parents and changing hormone levels, and are searching for answers on how to do it all – healthfully.

What is cortisol?

Sometimes called “the stress hormone,” cortisol is produced by the body’s adrenal glands, which also produce numerous other hormones. Cortisol also plays a role in regulating metabolism, inflammation, blood pressure and blood sugar, as well as impacts your sleeping/waking cycle – all things that ultimately can impact your mood, energy and weight.

“Women are hearing that they are suffering from something called ‘adrenal fatigue,’ because their adrenal glands are worn out and not producing enough cortisol. This supposedly makes them feel more stressed and even gain weight,” Taasha says. “But adrenal fatigue is not actually a medical condition that affects your adrenal glands.”

Why are people drinking cortisol cocktails?

A cortisol cocktail allegedly nourishes the adrenal gland, promoting adrenal health and better regulating your cortisol levels.

On a basic level, the cocktail contains ingredients similar to those found in an electrolyte drink. Unless you are watching your sodium or sugar intake, it won’t hurt you. But neither will it work miracles on your stress, energy or weight levels.

“A little orange juice, coconut water and some extras – I also have heard that ginger can be an ingredient – may help you stay hydrated, which is not a bad thing,” Taasha says. “But it’s not a magic potion that will reduce stress, restore your energy or make you lose weight.”

What IS the best way to deal with stress?

Lowering your stress has both physical and emotional impacts. It boosts your energy and makes you feel happier.

Taasha suggests a few sensible ways to do that that don’t involve a trendy “cocktail”:

• Eat a healthy diet, avoiding high-sugar and highly processed foods. These foods can lead to spikes in cortisol levels, increasing your appetite particularly for these foods, which can create an unhealthy cycle. Fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, healthy fats and lean proteins are great choices, and can stabilize your cortisol levels.
• Get a good night’s sleep. A lack of sleep can make your cortisol levels rise. Keep a steady bedtime/wakeup schedule and wind down before bed by avoiding electronic devices and caffeine.
• Move! A good workout can raise cortisol levels and regular exercise will decrease cortisol levels over time. It can help you manage stress, sleep better and feel more energized.

Of course, women, or anyone, may experience regular fatigue, even if you follow healthy habits. If you are feeling tired or worn down to the level that it is impacting your day-to-day life, it is a good idea to talk to your provider about it to ensure nothing unusual is going on.

“It’s tempting to jump on board the latest health trend and hope that it will make you feel more energetic or lose weight but common-sense approaches to your health always win the day,” Taasha says. “Sensible steps are the best path.”

Find a women’s health provider, who can answer all your questions about living your best life at any age, by going here.