SIP AWAY STRESS: CAN THE VIRAL 'CORTISOL COCKTAIL' REALLY CALM YOUR NERVES?

LET'S face it, stress isn't just a buzzword; it's the background soundtrack to our lives. Whether it's work deadlines, family responsibilities, or the endless scroll on social media, stress has us in a chokehold.

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

And while we don't need a study to tell us we're stressed, research constantly reminds us just how widespread the issue is.

It's no surprise, then, that Health-Tok and Instagram are flooded with stress-relief hacks. But one remedy has recently gone viral: a drink called the "Cortisol Cocktail".

This simple recipe claims to lower cortisol levels, restore energy, relieve tension, and even balance hormones. Tempting, right? But does it work? Let's break it down (and sip it up).

What is cortisol, and why should you care?

Before we dive into the cocktail, let's talk cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands in response to stress. Stress is essential for survival. Cortisol helps regulate metabolism, manage inflammation, influence blood sugar levels, and even control your sleep-wake cycle.

But here's the catch: too much cortisol can wreak havoc on your body. Chronic stress can cause cortisol levels to stay elevated, which prevents your body from returning to homeostasis (AKA balance).

This can lead to fatigue, anxiety, poor sleep, weight gain, and even weakened immunity. So, while cortisol itself isn’t the villain, consistently high levels can turn your body into a battleground. That's where managing stress, and potentially the cortisol cocktail, comes in.

The viral cortisol cocktail recipe by a Tennessee girl

The recipe making waves on social media is refreshingly simple:

200 ml of coconut water