How a simple drinks swap can help you sleep better, nutritionist says

IF you’re struggling to get to sleep then you could be questioning your whole bedtime routine. A simple drink swap might be able to help you get the shut eye you need, a nutritionist has said. Experts have long hailed the ingredients in some herbal teas for their relaxing and calming properties. By replacing caffeine […]

IF you’re struggling to get to sleep then you could be questioning your whole bedtime routine.

A simple drink swap might be able to help you get the shut eye you need, a nutritionist has said.

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By making a simple drink swap you could make sure you get the shut eye that you need[/caption]

Experts have long hailed the ingredients in some herbal teas for their relaxing and calming properties.

By replacing caffeine with a specific herbal tea you could be off to the land of nod in no time, nutritionist Rosie Millen said.

In order to get better sleep she said people need to cut out the caffeine and instead opt for Chamomile tea.

She explained how the tea inhibits the melatonin in the brain which is the hormone that tells us to fall asleep.

“Swap it (coffee) for chamomile tea. Chamomile tea contains apigenin.

“This antioxidant binds to certain receptors in your brain that may promote sleepiness and reduce insomnia.

“For this reason, it’s very calming”, she told the Express.

While apigenin is found in chamomile it can also be found in parsley, celery, and celeriac, albeit these things have a slightly less palatable taste compared to chamomile.

Apigenin is said to work by binding to the brain’s receptors, which in turn is thought help reduce feelings of anxiety – helping you to nod off.

Dr Karan Rajan previously said you shouldn’t have caffeine ten hours before bedtime.

He explained: “This is how long it takes your body to clear it from the blood stream and eliminate the effects.”

Caffeine is a stimulant, which is why a lot of us drink it in the morning to help us feel a little more alive.

Drinks that contain high amounts of caffeine include coffee, tea, energy drinks and other soft drinks such as cola.

If your normal bed time is 10pm, Dr Raj’s method means you can’t have any more caffeine after 12 in the afternoon.

Tea expert Bethan Thomas, who holds a degree in Tea Science from Fujian Agricultural University said a cup of tea can help you in many different ways.

Bethan, who is the owner of HotTea Mama said: “Firstly, to give you a moment to stop and reflect, to slow down and breathe. And in not too long, to have a chat with a friend or your mum, while you dunk biscuits and talk through your fears.”

Secondly, she said the the ingredients in some herbal teas are great for reducing feelings of anxiety that can help you relax.

She said that whole chamomile flowers were shown in eight week studies to have anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and antidepressant impact – reducing feelings of anxiety among patients suffering from General Anxiety Disorder.

Bethan explained that herbs such as Ginkgo can help reduce feeling of anxiety at the rose-petal can produce a calming effect.