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Bizarre Lettuce Hack Is Putting People To Sleep Immediately

Kimberley Bond

Published 
| Last updated 

Bizarre Lettuce Hack Is Putting People To Sleep Immediately

Featured Image Credit: TikTok - @shapla_11

There’s nothing worse than being absolutely knackered and still not being able to sleep.

In times like this, when you are feeling desperate to drift off to the land of nod, you’ll try literally even the most ridiculous sounding sleep aid.

Well, one TikToker has claimed to have found that lettuce is what helped her catch some zzz’s – and experts agree the strange trick can work.

Watch the video below to see how it works:

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TikTok user Shapla Hoque told her followers how she was really struggling to sleep in more recent weeks, and filmed herself trying the odd trick.

In the clip, which has since racked up nearly 5 million viewers, Shapla can be seen playing around with a bizarre lettuce-based recipe.

At first, the unusual bedtime beverage made Shapla ‘a bit drowsy’, but before long she was completely knocked out in her bed.

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The TikTok user let the lettuce simmer in boiling water for 10 minutes (Credit; TikTok - @shapla_11)
The TikTok user let the lettuce simmer in boiling water for 10 minutes (Credit; TikTok - @shapla_11)

So, is lettuce the wonder sleep cure we all hoped for?

Well, according to experts, it may very well be.

Studies conducted in 2013 and 2017 have shown a link between lettuce and promoting longer and better quality sleep.

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Researchers are thought to believe that most of lettuce’s sedative effects are due to the plant’s n-butanol fraction, specifically in a compound called lactucin.

According to Medical News Today, a study conducted on mice in 2013 found that those that received n-butanol fraction preparations experienced an increase in sleep duration and a decrease in sleep latency, or the time it takes to fall asleep.

Another study in 2017 saw researchers conclude that lettuce not only increased sleep duration in mice but that it also protected cells against inflammation and damage resulting from stress during sleep disturbances.

Shapla claimed the drink helped her feel drowsy (Credit: TikTok - @shapla_11)
Shapla claimed the drink helped her feel drowsy (Credit: TikTok - @shapla_11)
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Dr Charlotte Norton, Medical Director at The Slimming Clinic comments: “It is true that lettuce water does contain some properties which can aid sleep. For instance, certain lettuces - such as romaine - contain a phytonutrient called lactucarium, which is said to have a relaxing and sleep-inducing effect.

“Lactucarium, which we have established can cause sleepiness, contains a structure that is comparable to opium and is known to have sedative qualities.

“While lactucarium in lettuce might make you drowsy, you'd have to soak a colossal amount of lettuce to reap the full advantages. The quantity of lactucarium found in four to five lettuce leaves is unlikely to make a significant difference. However, the warmth of the water itself, combined with a placebo effect, may be why it is going viral online right now."

Before you stack up on a tonne of iceberg lettuce, not all health experts are convinced by the link.

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“There is some evidence that lettuce water or more accurately lettuce tea - the TikTok hack involves steeping the lettuce in boiling water - has sleep inducing powers, but it's not overwhelming,” Mel Braham, Relaxation Expert at B-Well CBD, told Tyla, pointing towards the 2017 study.

“If you're looking for a bedtime tea to help you relax and get ready for a good night's sleep, you're honestly probably better off sticking to the classics. Camomile tastes great and has been used for centuries to calm nerves and relax, and Valerian root has scientifically proven sleep-inducing benefits and is even used in many over the counter sleep remedies.”

Shapla said she fell asleep (Credit: TikTok - @shapla_11)
Shapla said she fell asleep (Credit: TikTok - @shapla_11)

Elsewhere, Dennis Relojo-Howell, the founder of psychology website Psychreg, says putting away electronic devices is more beneficial than sipping on lettuce water.

“Most researchers say that putting your phone away before bed is one of the best ways to achieve a restful sleep,” he explained. “The blue light that your smartphone or tablet emits can affect the quality of your sleep. Studies found that blue light suppresses melatonin, the natural chemical that promotes sleep, pushing out circadian rhythms by three hours.”

Dr Martin Kinsella, Founder of BioID Health, adds: “For an alternative (and tastier) solution, I’d recommend tart cherry juice. Melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate circadian rhythm and promotes good sleep is found to be higher than usual in tart cherries.

“In addition to this, milk is a simple yet effective drink to consume to aid sleep. Melatonin is naturally found in milk, and certain milk products are melatonin-enriched which can be useful in supplying a natural source of the sleep-inducing hormone."

Topics: TikTok, Health, Sleep

Kimberley Bond
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