We all know the key to good health: having a nutritious diet, getting exercise, and YES, most importantly, sleeping well. In this day and age, when we are constantly juggling multiple professional and personal responsibilities, getting sleep is elusive. Either we stay up for binge-watching sessions or just don’t fall asleep, even if we want to! So, what is the solution? Well, how about drinking your way to sleep? Oh no, we aren’t speaking about unhealthy beverages like alcohol, but something else.
We have with us Dr Parul Malhotra Bahl, Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator, and Founder at Diet Expression, who tells HealthShots more about this.
A cup of warm milk with a pinch of turmeric and black pepper, but without sugar, can really do wonders.
“Milk is rich in tryptophan, which helps increase the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin in our body. Turmeric further adds on to the process and improves the body’s immunity as well,” she adds.
Another drink that can help you with sleep is a cup of warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg. Do not add sugar.
“Nutmeg works as a miracle for insomnia. The potent medicinal properties of nutmeg help in calming nerves and releasing serotonin, which induces sleep,” shares Bahl.
According to a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, nutmeg helps to induce and also increases the duration of sleep.
When it comes to tackling sleeplessness, chamomile tea has to be a part of the list. For a long time, this tea has served as a natural remedy to reduce inflammation in the body, and treat anxiety. It has an antioxidant called apigenin, which is said to help induce sleep.
There are multiple times when our work or other commitments require us to stay awake, but our eyelids are heavy because of all the sleep. So, what should we do? Bahl has the perfect suggestions.
“It is an energizer, and keeps you full and alert. Having water every 30 minutes will not just help keep your sluggishness away, but will also help the body function properly,” she says.
Whole fruits offer the perfect amount of carbohydrates to give you that energy dose. Adding healthy fat to the smoothie in the form of avocado, nuts or milk will help you stay full for longer.
“Added vegetables will be a bonus dose of vitamins and minerals. It’s a perfect morning drink to keep you awake and energetic for a long period of time,” shares Bahl.
Dark chocolate has a lower amount of caffeine, as compared to coffee, but the theobromine in dark chocolate helps boost your energy. Moreover, it is also rich in vitamin B12, which helps keep the digestive system on track.
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