Sleep is one of the most important things to keep yourself healthy and happy.
A night of restlessness, tossing, and turning will not only leave you exhausted but has also been linked to weight gain.
Even if you’ve done everything right – the best pillow, a cool bedroom, a spritz of lavender – many of us still struggle to nod off when the lights go out.
But why? Well, when you’re tired, your metabolism slows down so your body uses less energy.
A lack of sleep also affects your blood sugar and makes your insulin spike, causes you to feel hungry and decreases the rate at which calories are burned.
There are some bedtime drinks that can actually help you lose weight as well as ensuring you get some much-needed shut-eye. Here’s a list on them below:
1. Milk
A glass of milk (heating optional) can help you to a peaceful night because it’s full of calcium and tryptophan. Reportedly, calcium helps the brain to use the amino acid tryptophan to create the substance melatonin, which is well known for inducing sleep. Getting a full eight hours will ward off cravings the next day.
2. Turmeric latte
If you want to give your milky drink a boost, why not whip up a turmeric latte? “Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and nourishing. Research has shown that one of its key components, curcumin, plays a role in suppressing fat tissue growth and regulating sugar levels. Add one tsp of turmeric powder to warmed milk along with a dash of spices of your choice such as black pepper (helps absorption of turmeric) and cinnamon (adds sweetness and regulates blood sugar) and/or ginger (anti bacterial) and sweeten to your liking using a natural sweetener.
3. Chamomile tea
This caffeine-free drink will leave you feeling calm and is famous for its sleep inducing qualities. A mug of this will increase your body’s levels of glycine, a neurotransmitter that not only acts as a mild sedative but also relaxes you too. It has also been linked to improving glucose control, which aids weight loss. Stay away from any detox teas and have a cup of this instead.
4. Grape juice
A small glass of 100% grape juice before bed can help you burn fat as you dream. Research suggests eating or drinking simple carbs, which are found in grape juice, causes insulin secretion at night. Insulation regulates the body’s circadian rhythms. Plus, grapes are packed with antioxidants which convert calories storing white fat, into calorie burning brown fat.
5. Soy protein shake
You may think protein shakes are just for weight-lifters in the gym, but actually soy in milk or protein power form is brimming with the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan can also help to decrease cortisol levels which helps fight fat. Even though metabolism slows down when you sleep, it still keeps working, and your protein shake will be digested and absorbed as you’re nodding off.
6. Kefir
This is a probiotic-rich drink made from fermented milk. It works on your gut to increase healthy bacteria levels which aids digestion and absorption of vitamins and minerals. The yoghurt-like drink also helps to improve your sleep and enhance your exercise performance.
