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We all know winter is the season for hot chocolate. Growing up, I used to gulp down all the hot cocoa I could get my hands on, whether it was a cup of Starbucks, some quick-prepped Swiss Miss, or a fancy homemade blend -- no matter the time of day, I was ready for a rush of chocolate-flavored holiday joy. But as an adult, it's sadly become clear that bedtime hot chocolate isn't the best choice for me. Given my struggles with insomnia and sleep anxiety, the last thing I need before bed is a sugar rush, so I'd sadly relegated this bedtime tradition to the past. That is, until I came across KAILO's Sleep Well chocolate collagen supplement.
I'm a big fan of protein supplements and warm, sleep-inducing drinks (sleepy tea has been a godsend), but I'd never tried a product that combined them. KAILO's Sleep Well supplement not only features 15 grams of collagen (a type of protein that strengthens your skin, muscles, bones, and tissue) but also has calming herbs like ashwagandha, chamomile, lemon balm, passion flower, hops, and Chinese skullcap to promote better sleep. Magnesium glycinate and tart cherry, which some studies say can promote better sleep, also make appearances in the nutrition info. And the supplement is flavored with cocoa and coconut milk to give it that sweet, hot chocolate taste I always crave this time of year. So of course, when KAILO sent me a sample of their cozy sleep supplement, I had to try it out.
I tried KAILO's Sleep Well Collagen Supplement for about seven days, drinking it with the recommended 1 1/4 cups of warm almond or oat milk. Here's my honest review:
How does it taste?
Let's start with my initial draw to this supplement -- the promise of a hot chocolate-y taste. I'm happy to report that, with unsweetened almond and oat milk, KAILO's Sleep Well supplement has a lovely, lightly sweet taste. It manages to be somehow buttery and rich without getting too sweet. The chocolate taste isn't super strong, but it still felt like a cozy hot cocoa to my taste buds. For more sweetness, one Amazon reviewer said they added honey, which I'll definitely be trying; other reviewers noted that the taste wasn't quite as good when mixed with water, so I'll be sticking with my milk mixer. And as someone who has tried many a protein supplement, I'll also report that KAILO doesn't come with the off-putting aftertaste that some other brands have.
What's the texture?
Not all drink mixes are created equal, and that's especially true when it comes to texture -- there's nothing that turns me off a supplement powder faster than a gritty feel in my mouth, or a powder that clumps up and doesn't dissolve well. KAILO doesn't have either of these problems. It blended nicely with my warm milk, to the point that there were no clumps after about a minute of stirring. My drink was smooth and creamy by the time it was cool enough to sip, and even got a little foamy on top like a real cup of hot cocoa.
Did it help me sleep?
I can't say KAILO's Sleep Well supplement knocked me out like a melatonin gummy, but it did help me wind down -- whether that was due to the herbal, relaxation-promoting ingredients or the simple fact of its warm, creamy, comforting flavor. KAILO actually notes that this supplement won't make you drowsy, but does contain "ingredients that will calm your nervous system" -- which was about my experience. While not exactly sleepy, I felt calmer and less anxious after drinking it. It helped that I found it very easy to fit the Sleep Well supplement into my nighttime routine. I sipped it while reading, watching YouTube, or journaling, making sure to drink it at least an hour before bed to avoid middle-of-the-night bathroom runs.
One benefit I really liked: how satisfying the supplement was, which is a sleep-related plus since I always sleep better when I'm full. It offers 15 grams of collagen protein (plus the fat and protein in the milk), so I expected it to fill me up, but I found it was perfect for nights when I felt a bit peckish but didn't want to commit to a late-night meal or random snack. It was nice to know I could sip on the soothing, sleep-promoting drink and trust that it wouldn't keep me up or give me stomach upset.
Do I recommend KAILO Sleep Well collagen supplement?
I loved the taste, texture, and relaxing qualities of this sleep-collagen supplement. It makes a great addition to any bedtime routine, especially for those of us with a sweet tooth who tend to get hungry at night. While it did help me relax, I wouldn't say it was a massive game-changer for my sleep. It's also on the more expensive side, currently listed at $99, so I'd file this one as a splurge purchase -- a delicious, healthy, relaxing treat, but not a must-have for good sleep.