TikTok Lettuce Trend: Does Boiling Lettuce Help You Sleep?

Updated

January 9, 2024

Sleep Society is reader-supported, that means if you buy something via a link on this page, we might earn a commission. Thank you kindly.

Have you tried the new Lettuce Water trend on TikTok? If so, you will know exactly what we are talking about. We tried the TikTok lettuce water trend to help with sleep and found out some exciting results for this article. Read on to find out more!

Social media has become a place where many youngsters experiment with different products, ideas, and trends, which sometimes go viral. The new lettuce water trend on TikTok is a viral video that has claimed millions of likes and views. It shows how lettuce water can help you fall asleep faster and easier.

In this article, we will answer questions like:

  • What is the lettuce water trend on Tiktok?
  • What are the steps involved?
  • After drinking lettuce water, what should you expect?
  • How does this phenomenon work scientifically?

What is the lettuce water trend on Tiktok?

When TikTok initially started gaining ground, it was about dance moves and dance routines, but nowadays, you can find almost any type of content on TikTok, from different challenges to life hacks and new trends. At the moment, lettuce water as a sleeping aid is going viral on TikTok. So what is it exactly?

One TikTok user, @shapla_11, started the lettuce water trend. She uploaded a video where she is seen shoving many lettuce leaves into a mug with boiling water. She also adds a peppermint tea bag for flavour and sips this concoction. In the video, she claims that this blend of lettuce and water helps in sleeping. This video quickly gained ground and got millions of views on TikTok.

When this video went viral, tons of other TikTok users also followed suit and claimed similar results. This is what intrigued us to try it out for ourselves and see if it works!

How does it work?

If we think about it theoretically, lettuce water works the same way as any other sleep-inducing drink such as chamomile tea or valerian root. The sleep-inducing properties in the lettuce are supposed to act as a naturally occurring sedative that will make you feel drowsy and help you fall asleep faster.

Since lettuce is thought to be packed with antioxidants, these components work together to get the neurotransmitters in your brain active and eventually make you more responsive to sleep.

How to make lettuce water?

  • First, get yourself fresh lettuce leaves. With many varieties of lettuce available in the market, experts recommend romaine lettuce because of its superior content in terms of nutrients. However, you can still go for any other lettuce variety as we’ve seen other TikTok users using icebergs or loose-leaf lettuce.
  • Have your mug ready with hot water and immerse the lettuce leaves into the cup.
  • You can also add any other products to help enhance the taste, such as peppermint or lavender. If you prefer to try it without any of the added flavours, you can even do so.
  • Let the concoction rest for about 10 minutes. This will allow the water to extract all the beneficial properties from the lettuce leaves.
  • After this, you can sip on the freshly brewed lettuce water and wait for it to start working.

What to expect after drinking lettuce water?

Most TikTok users who have tried this trend claim that they start to feel drowsy at first. Unless you are actively trying to stay awake, this drink is supposedly going to make you feel sleepy quickly. People have claimed that it makes you fall asleep and even sleep for longer hours than usual.

What is the science behind this phenomenon?

Many studies suggest that lettuce contains polyphenols with antioxidants, which may be why it induces sleep when you sip it as a drink. Another study suggests oil made from lettuce can have sleep-inducing effects as well.

However, many studies and research still need to go into this trend to hold any grounds on its effects on sleep scientifically. One of the main reasons, as explained by researchers, is that the concoction made at home is less likely to contain the right amount of sedative properties from the lettuce to induce sleep.

Does the lettuce water work?

The results of this viral trend are not the same for everyone, just as some of the most well-researched sleep-inducing remedies do not work for some people.

Although not scientifically proven, the practice itself does not have any prominent adverse side effects. Perhaps, other TikTok users have found this beneficial because of the placebo effect, or maybe it works for them just as sipping on herbal tea before bed works for some people.

Overall, if we have to look at its effects on viewers, this trend has made people more aware of their sleeping habits, which is a win.

Lettuce water trend: final verdict

Science believes that more research into how lettuce can aid in sleep can be a promising prospect for the future. To be more precise, romaine lettuce is known to be the best choice for lettuce if you consider the superiority of the nutrient content.

Many companies are coming up with different sleeping aids for those who are sleep-deprived. We all experience some tossing and turning in bed from time to time, but prolonged sleep deprivation or interrupted sleep can lead to many health problems. These health problems can also be the cause of your sleep deprivation.

With sleep being a necessary part of life, it is helpful for you to take care of your sleep hygiene. One of the best remedies for sleep is herbal tea such as valerian root, chamomile, and peppermint. Artificial sleeping aids can also give you the same results, but these naturally occurring sleeping aids are considered the safest remedies for inducing sleep.

If you are having trouble getting shut-eye, we recommend valerian tea extracted from valerian roots. Valerian root is a herb that is commonly found in Europe and Asia. For thousands of years, Valerian root has been used as a medicinal plant for its many beneficial properties. It is known to have soothing effects which can help induce sleep.

Valerian root contains several antioxidants like isovaleric acid and valerenic acid. These are compounds that promote sleep, mobilise your mood, and even reduce anxiety. You can get these in the form of capsules, pills, or even as a tea to drink.