Are you someone who falls sick quite frequently? Are you tired of figuring out what the root cause of your illnesses is? Well, maybe it's time to assess your sleep patterns. Yes, it's true. Our sleep and immune systems are correlated. If you're unable to get a minimum of 7 to 8 hours of sound sleep every day, there are high chances that your immune system will become weak. To help strengthen it, you must include certain immune-boosting foods and drinks in your nighttime routine. In this article, we'll be sharing five nourishing bedtime drinks that will help give you a stronger immune system and also make you sleep better.
How Does Sleep Affect The Immune System?
Having a good night's sleep is essential for boosting immunity. According to the Mayo Health Clinic, our immune system releases a protein called cytokines. This protein is required to treat inflammation in our body. If we do not get sufficient sleep, we'll naturally produce less of this protein, which will have a direct impact on our immunity.
What Are The Signs Of A Weak Immune System?
There are some common telltale signs of a weak immune system. The most obvious one is falling sick more frequently. You'll also feel a constant sense of tiredness and struggle to get through daily tasks. Some people might also experience stomach-related problems and higher levels of stress. Having frequent headaches is another common sign of a weakened system. Hence, it's essential to include more immune-boosting foods and drinks in your diet to help strengthen it.
Also Read: Immune-Boosting Foods: 7 Winter Vegetables To Supercharge Your Immunity and Stay Healthy
Immune-Boosting Foods: Here Are 5 Bedtime Drinks To Boost Your Immunity:
1. Haldi Doodh:
Haldi doodh (turmeric milk) is one of the best traditional home remedies for immunity. While growing up, you must've been advised by your elders to drink a warm cup of this milk, especially during the winter. But have you ever wondered why it's given so much significance? The credit goes to a compound called curcumin in turmeric. It has antiseptic and antifungal properties, which help keep diseases at bay. It's because of this that it is considered one of the best immune-boosting foods. When mixed with milk and had before bedtime, it can do wonders to boost your immunity. Learn how to make the perfect cup of haldi doodh with this recipe.
2. Ginger Tea:
Ginger, too, is considered a wonderful immune-boosting food. Thanks to the presence of gingerol, it can help keep infections at bay to a great extent. While there are several different ways to consume ginger, having its tea before bedtime is a great way to reap its benefits. A study published by Harvard Health suggests that it can treat ailments such as inflammation, gastrointestinal functions, and more. If you find the taste of ginger too strong, you can even add a few drops of lemon juice to it. This will further enhance its nutrient quotient and boost your immunity. Here's an easy ginger-lemon tea recipe for you to try at home.
3. Green Tea
Green tea is another popular beverage choice. It is often associated with weight loss but can do wonders to boost your immunity as well. The Healthline explains that green tea is packed with polyphenols and disease-fighting antioxidants. It also includes certain other compounds, such as catechins, that can help provide protection against harmful diseases. However, make sure to have it in moderation, as green tea also contains some caffeine. So, while we do want to benefit from it, we don't want the opposite effect on our sleep and immunity. If you follow this mantra, you'll be good to go. Here's all you need to know about the right time to have green tea.
4. Peppermint Tea
You can also have peppermint tea before bedtime to boost your immunity. According to the National Institutes Of Health (NIH), peppermint has significant antiviral and antimicrobial properties. This makes it fall into the category of immune-boosting foods and will keep you feeling fit and healthy. Additionally, peppermint is also known to have a calming effect on the mind, allowing you to sleep better. So, make yourself a cup of peppermint tea before bedtime and not only sleep better but also boost your immunity. Find out more about the incredible benefits of peppermint tea here.
Also Read: These 5 Immunity-Boosting Foods Must Be A Part of Your Daily Diet!
5. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is known for its sleep-inducing powers. You must've heard several people suggesting you sip on it if you suffer from insomnia or struggle to sleep in general. But did you know chamomile tea can also boost your immunity? It too has anti-inflammatory properties and prevents the risk of infection. You can have this one without any worry, as it does not contain any caffeine and won't disrupt your sleep. Along with having other immunity-boosting foods, adding chamomile to your nighttime routine will be quite beneficial for boosting your immunity.
It's not just what we consume during the day that matters; what we consume at night plays an equally important role. Hence, you should make a conscious effort to include immune-boosting foods in your nighttime routine so as to keep feeling fit and healthy.