For many of us, stress triggers a hike in cortisol, a hormone that typically skyrockets during challenging times. While the jury is out on solid evidence supporting cortisol-busting beverages, some drinks featuring particular nutrients might provide some relief.

Let's kick off with the super brew: green tea. Thanks to a nifty antioxidant named epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), it could possibly slash cortisol levels by impacting how your body rustles up this stress hormone. How effective? One study indicated that six cups of decaf green tea daily for six weeks gave a one-two punch to cortisol while boosting mental health for people with moderate stuttering. Worth a shot, right?

Another cortisol combatant might be ginseng, with research suggesting a four-week supplementation plan could cut cortisol levels by as much as 16%. Though those investigations involved ginseng supplements, don't rule out ginseng tea altogether. But bear in mind: more research is needed.

Magnesium is no stranger to the stress relief arena. Some studies point to magnesium potentially driving down cortisol levels. Participants given 350 milligrams (mg) of magnesium citrate complex for 24 weeks showed a decrease in circulating cortisol, leading to the idea that drinks containing magnesium might yield similar results. But, as always, check with your health expert before whipping out the supplement shaker.

If you're game to try something new, consider ashwagandha, a medicinal herb made from the roots of a shrub plant, now appearing in some drink options. With a growing body of evidence suggesting ashwagandha supplementation can dial back anxiety, stress, and, indeed, cortisol levels, these brews could be worth a taste.

Yogurt or kefir, anyone? In drink form, these fermented dairy products pack a probiotic punch that might lower cortisol levels. Loaded with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), these beverages could reduce stress and anxiety, disrupting cortisol's rude intrusion into your adrenal glands. Thanks, GABA!

The unsung hero of cortisol-crushing drinks could be barley juice, another natural source of GABA. While the barley juice-cortisol link is yet to be thoroughly explored with human studies, it's a potential area for future investigation.

Guinness World Record winner for the highest dose of vitamin C in spectacle? High-C capsules. Some evidence suggests that these could speed up cortisol recovery after stressful situations and possibly lower overall levels. To nail a similar effect, you'd have to guzzle 8 to 24 cups of orange juice daily – best keep the loo in sight.

Coconut water does a great job in the electrolyte and potassium arena but sadly, doesn't make it to the cortisol-lowering VIP list. Same story with the adrenal cocktail, a niche blend of nutrients claiming to soothe your adrenal glands and cool down cortisol. So far, evidence fails to support these claims.

While the quest for cortisol-curbing drinks continues, remember that there are proven, sweeter ways to dial down stress, like adopting a balanced diet, getting regular exercise and ensuring quality sleep.