We all know that sleep is a time for rejuvenation, repair, and renewal. In this article I give you a bedtime detox drink that will help your body restore itself at the cellular level. This drink assists the liver, which is a hard-working detoxifying machine. It helps control blood sugar levels, stimulate metabolism and drift off to a restorative slumber more easily.
Learn more about the importance of your liver HERE.
Here’s the recipe. As always, choose organic ingredients to avoid increasing the toxins load on your body.
Read below for details as to why this beverage is so potent for long-term detoxification and improved sleep.
1 Cup filtered water
1 Teaspoon Matcha Green Tea Powder (I like this one) ** See note below if you are sensitive to caffeine
1/2 Lemon juiced. Include the white pith around lemon and a dash of lemon zest from the rind for an extra antioxidant and bioflavonoid boost
1/2 Teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or more if you like it spicy)
1/2 Teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon (or more if you like it spicy)
Optional raw honey or other natural sweetener
NOTE: Matcha green tea does contain a small amount of caffeine. For people who are sensitive to caffeine, and find it keeps them awake at night, you can drink this in the morning on an empty stomach. If any caffeine, even in the morning, is problematic for you, try substituting chamomile, lemon balm, ashwagandha, or a mixture of these.
Directions:
Combine all the ingredients and stir well to mix. I like to put mine in a Mason jar and shake well. Sip about an hour before bed. Enjoy a restful, rejuvenating and detoxifying slumber.
So what makes this drink so impressive?
This drink is a powerhouse of flavorful and powerfully healing compounds.
- Matcha green tea: Matcha is a rich source of antioxidants, and the well-researched catechin epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).
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- EGCG:
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- helps prevent cancer
- promotes brain health
- protects against inflammation and heart disease
- helps prevent telomere shortening. Telomere shortening is a process which plays a big role in aging
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- Theanine is another outstanding component of matcha. An amino acid, theanine offers the following benefits:
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- increases serotonin in the brain
- improves the effectiveness of GABA, a neurotransmitter responsible for relaxation
- increases alpha brain wave activity, which in turn leads to greater mental relaxation and deep REM sleep
- boosts glutathione levels. Glutathione can be considered the body’s most important antioxidant
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- Matcha contains copious amounts o polyphenols, which aid liver health and detoxification
- EGCG:
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Whew! That’s a lot of health benefits and we are only on the first ingredient!
- Lemon juice, pith and zest: Probably best known for its high vitamin C content, lemons offer a wide array of other health benefits:
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- helps maintain a proper acid balance in the body
- assists the liver in flushing out toxins
- aids in digestion and maintaining healthy bowel movements
- the pith of the lemon is one of the most concentrated sources of bioflavinoids
- lemon peel contains the greatest concentration of vitamin C, as well as a compound known as naringenin. Naringenin can stimulate the liver to burn excess fat and reduce blood sugar, triglycerides, and cholesterol; it’s such a powerful antioxidant that it can reverse the DNA damage that causes cancer and radiation-induced damage to the cells of the body.
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Spices add flavor and plenty of health benefits to the mix
- Ginger: Ginger has a long history as a digestive aid. It also boasts many other powerful health-promoting properties:
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- it contains gingerol, which has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits
- ginger helps lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol
- enhances calorie burning
- helps promote a feeling of satiety
- relieves menstrual cramps, sore muscles, dizziness, and nausea
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- Cinnamon: A popular culinary spice, cinnamon is known for its warming, spicy flavor. So tasty and so good for you too:
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- improves insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels
- reduces inflammation
- freshens breath by killing off odiferous bacteria
- its antibacterial properties can help improve dental health
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And a touch of sweetener to bring it all together
- Honey: Perhaps the first known sweetener, honey is something of a miracle sweetener. It is packed with enzymes, which aids in digestion. In addition, honey:
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- is naturally low glycemic, meaning it doesn’t spike blood sugar levels the way some other sweeteners can
- rich in antioxidants and flavinoids
- it’s anti-fungal and antibacterial, both of which may help prevent and even heal ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders
- facilitates restorative sleep:
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- honey contributes to the release of melatonin in the brain. It does this by stimulating the release of tryptophan, which in turn is converted to serotonin and then melatonin. Melatonin is necessary for restorative sleep. Often called the “wellness hormone,” it helps to enhance immunity and facilitate the rebuilding of tissues during rest. Melatonin in return inhibits the release of insulin, thus stabilizing blood sugar levels during the night.
- honey contributes to the release of melatonin in the brain. It does this by stimulating the release of tryptophan, which in turn is converted to serotonin and then melatonin. Melatonin is necessary for restorative sleep. Often called the “wellness hormone,” it helps to enhance immunity and facilitate the rebuilding of tissues during rest. Melatonin in return inhibits the release of insulin, thus stabilizing blood sugar levels during the night.
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