The pink salt trick, apple cider vinegar shots and “cortisol cocktails”: why quick fixes go viral
Every few months a new drink promises to fix your metabolism. Here is why these trends spread, what the evidence says, and what steady looks like instead.
“Pink salt trick” was one of the most searched recipes in Australia in 2025. Before that it was apple cider vinegar shots, and before that the “cortisol cocktail”. Each promises a simple fix for weight, energy or stress, usually in a glass.
Why these trends spread
They are easy, cheap and new, and they offer hope. When eating feels complicated, a single ritual that claims to do the hard work is understandably appealing. That says more about how exhausting food advice has become than about anyone’s willpower.
What the evidence says
- The pink salt trick (salt, lemon and water) has no evidence for weight loss. Pink salt is still salt, and most Australians already eat more sodium than recommended, which is linked with high blood pressure.
- Apple cider vinegar has been studied in small trials with modest and inconsistent results. Undiluted vinegar can irritate the throat and erode tooth enamel.
- “Cortisol cocktails” (usually juice, coconut water and salt) have no evidence that they lower cortisol. Cortisol is a normal hormone that rises and falls through the day.
The stress reality
Stress does affect eating – through sleep, appetite and how we cope. But the answer is rarely a drink. Regular meals, enough sleep, movement and support for what is causing the stress do far more than any morning ritual.
What steady looks like
If a trend helps you drink more water or pause in the morning, there is no harm in the pause. Just don’t let it replace the basics: a regular rhythm of meals with protein, fibre-rich carbohydrates and foods you enjoy.
Steady takeaway: next time a trend catches your eye, ask what the habit underneath it is, and whether there is a simpler version of it.
References
Google Australia, Year in Search 2025. NHMRC, Australian Dietary Guidelines (2013, currently under review) and Nutrient Reference Values – Sodium. Heart Foundation guidance on salt.