As a registered dietitian, I often have clients come in seeking help with more than just their nutrition. When it comes to sleep, they want to know if the sleep supplements available on the market can help. Ultimately, there’s no one way to support sleep.
One of the relatively new entrants to the sleep aid market is Just Ingredients’ Nighttime Relax. It’s a melatonin-free sleep mix that relies on a combination of magnesium, L-theanine, inositol, and tart cherry extract to support restful sleep.
In this review, I’ll share my take on Just Ingredients and why I love Live it Up Golden Hour for sleep support. I’ll also explain:
- Is Just Ingredients’ Nighttime Relax Worth a Try?
- What Is Just Ingredients?
- Purported Benefits
- Ingredients Breakdown
- Quality and Safety
- Cost Analysis
- Taste Review
- Why I Choose Live it Up Golden Hour
Just Ingredients Nighttime Relax Quick Facts
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Key ingredients:
- Magnesium bisglycinate
- L-theanine
- Inositol
- Tart cherry extract
- Organic stevia leaf extract
- Monk fruit extract
-
Flavors: 3 options
- Chai
- Lemon chamomile
- Strawberry limeade
- Purported health benefits: Helps the mind and body relax and supports the natural sleep cycle
- Packet size: 30 servings
- Price: $34.99 or $1.16 per serving (without subscription)
- Shipping: Starts at $5.95
Bottom Line: Is Just Ingredients Nighttime Mix Worth a Try?
Just Ingredients’ Nighttime Relax is a melatonin-free sleep aid with clean, high-quality ingredients to promote relaxation and three nice flavors. If magnesium works for you, I think it’s a worthwhile choice. However, because of its clumpy texture, strict returns policy, and additional shipping charges, I know there are more consumer-friendly options out there.
Live it Up Golden Hour leverages powerful superfoods like ashwagandha and turmeric to manage inflammation and stress, factors that can keep you awake. The all-natural, filler-free formula is absolutely delicious and backed by a generous 30-day return and free shipping policy.
What Is Just Ingredients?
Just Ingredients was started by Karalynne Call, a mom of six, who embarked on her wellness journey as a way to manage her mental health. While she didn’t quite intend to start her own product line, the struggle to find safe, filler-free supplements led her to take matters into her own hands. In 2018, she got her nutritionist certification and set off on a mission to create nutrient-rich products.
Just Ingredients launched with two products: a face serum and a deodorant. In 2024, they added supplement products, like electrolyte mixes and protein powders, to their lineup. The Nighttime Relax line targets those struggling with sleep and muscle recovery. The powder is meant to be stirred into 8 ounces of cold water and enjoyed as a drink in the evening.
One scoop of Nighttime Relax (8.5 grams) has:
- Calories: 5-20
- Carbohydrates: 2-5 g
- Sugar: 0-3 g
- Magnesium (magnesium bisglycinate): 320 mg
- L-theanine: 196 mg
- Inositol: 194 mg
- Tart cherry extract: 500 mg
Just Ingredients Nighttime Relax Pros
- Third-party tested
- Melatonin-free
- No added sugar, dairy, soy, or fillers
- No artificial sweeteners or dyes
- Uses whole-food ingredients
- Affordable pricing
- Gluten-free and vegan
- Some organic ingredients
Just Ingredients Nighttime Relax Cons
- Uses stevia leaf extract
- Some flavors have 3 grams of natural sugar
- Free shipping only for orders above $125
- Refund only for unopened products
- Clumpy texture
Just Ingredients Nighttime Relax Purported Benefits
Here, I look at Nighttime Relax’s potential health benefits and assess the plausibility of the claims based on the listed ingredients and dosages.
Benefit 1: Relaxes Body and Mind
Nighttime Relax turns inositol, magnesium, and L-theanine to help the body and mind relax and prep for sleep. Inositol is a little-known warrior when it comes to relaxation. It’s the brain’s secondary messenger that signals the production of neurotransmitters in charge of relaxation.
Magnesium, on the other hand, plays a more direct role in relaxation. Magnesium blocks calcium, which supports muscle contraction and helps the muscle relax. Low magnesium has a direct influence on the HPA axis, which modulates the body’s stress response. When magnesium levels are balanced, the body may do a better job of managing stress hormones, which in turn allows the body to relax.
Benefit 2: Supports Natural Circadian Rhythm
Our bodies’ sleep-wake cycle is governed by a variety of hormones, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), adenosine, and nitric oxide. Magnesium exerts control over GABA, the body’s natural calming neurotransmitter. Magnesium interacts with GABA receptors and potentially inhibits the “waking neurons,” thereby supporting the onset of sleep. A long-term, cross-sectional study linked dietary magnesium intake with the occurrence of circadian syndrome.
Tryptophan, an amino acid, and melatonin, both found in tart cherry juice, may also regulate the body’s natural sleep cycle and support relaxation and sound sleep. In a randomized controlled trial, the ingestion of tart cherry juice increased overall melatonin in the body, which may be beneficial in managing sleep patterns. These are preliminary studies, and further evidence is required to assess the full impact of this ingredient.
Just Ingredients Nighttime Relax Ingredients Breakdown
Nighttime Relax is formulated with four key ingredients that stay consistent across flavors.
Magnesium: The blend includes the biglycinate form, and not as magnesium oxide. This type of magnesium is purported to be better absorbed by our bodies and is known to support energy production, bone health, and exercise performance.
L-theanine: An amino acid found in tea leaves. Research shows that this compound may support stress levels, sleep, and cognitive function. In rat studies, theanine can prompt serotonin and dopamine production.
Inositol: A type of sugar alcohol found in the body and in foods like high-bran cereal, fruits like cantaloupe, and nuts. It’s associated with supporting emotional health and well-being. However, in most of these studies, inositol supplementation was at a much higher dosage, and Just Ingredients’ formula has a just 194 mg.
Tart cherry extract: This is extracted from sour cherries and contains naturally occurring melatonin that can further support sleep quality.
Stevia leaf extract: A good natural alternative to artificial sweeteners. But stevia is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar and is often known for an unpleasant aftertaste.
Other ingredients: Some flavors include additional ingredients like citric acid, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, ginger, nutmeg, lemon extract, organic rooibos extract, monk fruit extract, and organic German chamomile leaf extract. This is mostly to give each option a distinct taste.
Just Ingredients Nighttime Relax Quality and Safety
Nighttime Relax is made with real, whole foods sourced from across the globe. This sleep blend is manufactured in the U.S. and third-party tested. Their first step involves securing the Certificate of Analysis (COA) and heavy metal testing for each ingredient from suppliers. You can view these test results, which is a testament to their commitment to transparency.
Just Ingredients’ Nighttime Relax is a vegan, gluten-, soy-, and dairy-free product. It's made without GMO ingredients, artificial dyes, sweeteners, or fillers. The flavoring is also a result of the organic ingredients used.
Just Ingredients Nighttime Relax Cost Analysis
Just Ingredients’ pricing comes right in the middle of the sleep aid market spectrum. A one-time purchase costs $1.16 per serving. With a subscription, the per-serving cost reduces to $1.05.
Still, there’s more to assessing “best value” than flat cost. For Just Ingredients, free shipping is only offered for customer orders of $125 or more after taxes and discount codes. There’s also a restriction on using gift cards to meet the free shipping minimum value. Standard shipping costs start at $5.95. Even more,t Just Ingredients has a 30-day refund for unopened products only, and you, the customer, are responsible for the return shipping fees.
I do want to highlight a few things the company does differently:
- They offer a “Just Checkout Plus” option, where you get free returns or store credit for unopened packages and package protection for $2.98. This was possibly done as a workaround for restrictive refund policies and high shipping costs, but it’s still an extra expense.
- If you sign up as a member, you earn points on every purchase, which can be redeemed later for additional savings.
By contrast, Live it Up Golden Hour has a slightly higher pricing than Nighttime Relax ($1.33 per serving), but it provides better value through its lifetime free shipping and 30-day complete money-back guarantee on all products.
Just Ingredients Nighttime Relax Taste Review
Nighttime Relax comes in three distinct flavors: chai, lemon chamomile, and strawberry limeade.
The strawberry limeade is described as sweet with a hint of tanginess from the lime. The lemon camomile is characterized as citrusy, while the chai profile is slightly spicy as it contains cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
Before I tried the flavors myself, I was curious to see what other users thought of them. I was pleased to see a 4.8-star rating on their website. Most of the customers enjoyed the varying options.
One website reviewer found the “flavor to be clean, not artificial,” and the drink to actually help them relax. Another user enjoyed the “warm, yet spicy aroma” from ingredients like clove, cardamom, nutmeg, and black pepper.
For me, the chai was comforting but the strawberry limeade was a bit pronounced, and I found myself reaching for more water to dilute the flavor. Another sticky point was the difficulty in dissolving. It required more than a quick stir, and the clumpiness took away from the overall experience.
My online research told me clumping, chalky texture, and strong flavors were common pain points. One Amazon customer mentioned how the drink was a little too strong for them, even after mixing it with 8 ounces of water. They also noted the lumpy texture when used with cold water. Another client noted how the drink can end up being “overwhelmingly sweet” if not mixed correctly.
Why I Recommend Live it Up Golden Hour
Everyone's needs are different, and there are various ways to support sleep. Nighttime Relax uses natural ingredients and no fillers, and the focus on magnesium and L-theanine to aid sleep may work great for you.
For a magnesium- and melatonin-free way of falling asleep and getting quality sleep, I turn to Live it Up Golden Hour, an all-natural sleep blend.
- It's a low-carb sleep aid that uses non-GMO, real ingredients like turmeric, ginger, and saffron.
- The drink is subtly flavored with monk fruit extract and has a warm, cozy taste that's best to wind down the day with.
- Features clinically studied KSM-66® Ashwagandha root, which is known to assist in a healthy stress response.
Golden Hour targets sleep by addressing underlying issues that can interfere with sleep, like stress, inflammation, and emotional well-being. Live it Up Golden Hour, with its free shipping and 30-day money-back guarantee, is also a cost-effective option.
FAQs about Just Ingredients' Nighttime Relax
Here are a few commonly asked questions about Nighttime Relax.
What kind of magnesium is in Just Ingredients Nighttime Relax?
Nighttime Relax uses magnesium bisglycinate, a highly bioavailable form of magnesium. The company’s website states that this form “is less likely to cause digestive discomfort or laxative effects than magnesium oxide.”
How much added melatonin is in Nighttime Relax?
Nighttime Relax has no added melatonin, just natural melatonin from the tart cherry juice.
What is the shelf life of Nighttime Relax?
Nighttime Relax, when stored in the house and not a hot garage, is good for up to 2 years.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice or individualized nutrition counseling. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to supplements or medications. Any product or brand mentions are for general information and don’t guarantee results.
References
- https://justingredients.us/products/strawberry-limeade-nighttime-relax
- https://www.amazon.com/JUST-INGREDIENTS-Strawberry-Nighttime-Supplement/dp/B0FGC73WW7/ref=ast_sto_dp_puis?th=1
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tapioca
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZU95PF6cdg
- https://businessqmag.com/2025-q-awards/karalynne-call-2/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/magnesium-glycinate
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/inositol
- https://www.wbcil.com/blog/magnesium-bisglycinate-vs-other-forms-of-magnesium-which-one-is-right-for-you/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ashwagandha
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6217746/
- https://scijournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jsfa.8414
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8357497/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318411
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