A so-called “cortisol cocktail” is claimed by some to be an antidote to the symptoms of chronic stress and to relieve a condition called “adrenal fatigue.” Let’s look at some background before we demolish this myth.

Cortisol is a naturally occurring hormone that is produced by the adrenal gland. This hormone has many functions in your body including being part of the stress response. When you are stressed, more cortisol is released, and this helps you to stay on high alert. Cortisol also triggers the release of glucose (sugar) from your liver to provide fast energy during times of stress–if you are being chased by a bear, for example.

When you are under constant stress, say from a bad job or an unhappy marriage perhaps, more cortisol is released continuously and this has numerous effects on your body. One of these effects is the loss of certain nutrients, and this nutrient loss (it is said) is one reason you sleep poorly, feel fatigued, and so on.

It has also been claimed that your adrenal gland can get “worn out” and cannot produce enough cortisol. And low cortisol can result in various symptoms including fatigue, sleep issues and cravings for sweet and salty foods (sound familiar?). It’s not clear whether too much or too little cortisol is the problem, so there’s already an inconsistency in these claims.

Either way, the proponents of the “cortisol cocktail” claim it helps replace lost nutrients and boost the adrenals back into gear. So what is in a cortisol cocktail anyway? Recipes vary, but the main ingredients are orange juice and coconut water, with a bit of salt and lemon juice added. So you’re getting a bit of sugar, some vitamin C, and a small amount of electrolytes such as sodium and magnesium. 

But like so many magical health fixes, it just ain’t so—the claims made for this drink are not supported by medical science or real-world evidence. For one thing, there’s no such thing as “adrenal fatigue,” it is a totally made up term. And the nutrients the drink provides are plentiful in any reasonably balanced diet. The drink is certainly harmless, and if you enjoy it, why not? But don’t expect any effects, other than the placebo kind, on your stress-related symptoms.

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