There is no discussion that obesity has reached epidemic proportions in some countries. A simple walk down any street, in the US alone, reveals that up to 75 percent of people are overweight. That is 2 out of 3 people. What is not so obvious, however, is insomnia and other sleep disorders that have also reached epidemic levels. But for both one thing and another, the good news is that there are solutions, and if you like natural solutions, we recommend that you keep reading because we will offer you 4 alternatives in drinks to sleep and lose weight while you sleep, what better than that ?
The dream and weight connection
According to the CDC, there has been a significant increase in hospital discharges for a number of obesity-related medical conditions. An estimated 18 million adults in the US alone have sleep apnea, a condition often associated with excess weight. And the reason is simple according to the researchers.
As you gain weight, especially in the trunk and neck area, the risk of sleep-disordered breathing increases due to compromised respiratory function, making it more difficult to breathe.
It’s a two-way street
The problem is that obesity not only contributes to sleep problems like sleep apnea, but sleep problems can also contribute to obesity. It is a vicious cycle. And scientists have also shown that when a „sleep debt“ builds up in a matter of days, it can actually hurt your metabolism and disrupt your hormone levels.
This, in turn, affects your ability to process glucose (sugar) in your blood, which can eventually lead to diabetes among other serious health problems.
Another study shows that people who sleep less than 6 hours a night experience hormonal changes such as increased cortisol levels that can affect their future body weight and harm long-term health.
In fact, these people need to make 30 percent more insulin than normal sleepers according to the study.
Elevated blood sugar levels ultimately lead to insulin overproduction and eventually insulin resistance, which is the starting point of obesity in most cases. We also know that high levels of the stress hormone cortisol increase visceral fat. The researchers call this whole phenomenon „the real route to obesity.“
4 drinks to sleep and lose weight while you sleep
What if there is a simple way to both combat insomnia and help you lose weight, all while you sleep? Well, there are alternatives, of course, and those are usually natural.
The following 4 drink recipes for sleeping and burning fat at night, contain a number of natural ingredients that target your metabolism, help you relax and even keep you feeling full so that you stop snacking before bed – the number one behavior guaranteed for increase kilos.
1. Psyllium drink with apple to sleep and burn fat
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of cold water
- 1 apple
- 2 teaspoons psyllium powder
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
- Cut the apple with skin and grind it with water until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a large mug and stir in the flaxseed and ground cinnamon.
- Drink immediately
- Drink another glass of plain water as soon as you finish the apple drink.
How it helps:
Apple. The pectin in apple limits the absorption of fat from the intestines and makes it easier for your body to break down fats into fatty acids. Antioxidants like quercetin in apples can help reduce oxidative damage and associated inflammation. A 2003 study also shows that eating three apples a day contributes to weight loss.
Psyllium. Psyllium is a prebiotic, soluble edible fiber. Once ingested, it expands to form a gel-like mass, drawing water from your colon. Helps move waste from your colon faster and more efficiently. Aside from the known positive effects on the heart and cholesterol levels, studies also show that psyllium improves glucose levels in diabetics.
Cinnamon. This popular spice helps regulate blood sugar levels. It also increases your metabolism and even helps burn belly fat while reducing your appetite.
NOTE: Psyllium husk can reduce the absorption of some medications and nutrients in food, so only drink this 2 hour after taking any medication or food.
2. Cherry and Aloe Vera drink
Ingredients:
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup tart cherry juice
- 1 ounce of aloe vera juice
- cold water
Instructions:
- Mix the cherry juice and aloe vera together in a glass
- Add the cold water
- Mix well and drink
How it helps:
Cherry juice. Studies show that tart cherry juice produces significant reductions in the severity of insomnia. Another study even shows that it can increase melatonin levels, which improves the duration and quality of sleep.
Aloe vera gel. Aloe leaves secrete a powerful clear gel filled with 75 potentially active components, including vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, and amino acids. This ancient plant also contains a variety of antioxidants, as well as 6 antiseptic agents that inhibit the growth of bacteria that can cause infection and inflammation.
Aloe vera is a widely used traditional remedy for diabetes. More recent studies confirm that it can help regulate blood glucose levels. It is also shown to help with weight loss.
NOTE: Aloe is a known laxative, so be careful how much you drink.
3. Cucumber, ginger and lemon drink
Ingredients:
- 5-10 slices of cucumber with the skin (or a whole cucumber if you like a thick drink)
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 3/4 cup of water
- 1 freshly squeezed lemon
- A pinch of pink Himalayan salt (optional)
Instructions:
- Grind the cucumber and grated ginger with water until smooth.
- Add the lemon juice and salt
- Mix well and drink
How it helps:
Cucumber. This low-calorie vegetable is incredibly high in soluble fiber, which binds with the fatty acids that result when you eat fat. It then helps eliminate them, reducing the overall fat intake from your digestive tract. Cucumbers are also a powerful detoxifier for your liver and a natural diuretic, which means that they can help your body produce more urine to flush out toxins and waste.
Like lemons, cucumbers are one of the main alkaline foods and can help balance your body’s pH level and counteract the effects of an acidic diet.
Ginger. Ginger, while ginger is best known for its powerful digestive properties, numerous studies show that it is effective for diabetes and glucose regulation. It is also a powerful anti-inflammatory and may even help suppress cortisol levels and burn fat according to studies.
Lemon. Lemons are amazing detoxifiers. They help alkalize your body, which also helps kill bacteria and viruses, as well as benefit your bone health and reduce muscle wasting, lower your chances of hypertension and strokes, improve your cardiovascular health, and even improve your memory.
Although there aren’t many studies on lemon’s ability to aid weight loss, certain studies show that it can significantly reduce weight gain from a high-fat diet.
4. Hot milk and nutmeg drink
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of organic cow’s milk or plant milk (almond, rice, coconut)
- 1-2 teaspoons of honey
- A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg (no more than 1/8 of a teaspoon)
Instructions:
- Heat the milk and then chill until lukewarm.
- Mix in the honey and grated nutmeg.
- Drink immediately.
How it helps:
Milk. Despite common conventional views that whole milk is fattening, a 2013 review reports that 11 out of 16 studies show that it is not. In fact, regular consumption of milk (without exceeding the recommended daily amount and as long as it is organic) can really help prevent weight gain. Milk also contains tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes sleep. However, if you are not a milk consumer for other reasons, you can supplement it with any plant milk.
Honey from bees. Honey can promote relaxation and help provide a good night’s sleep. The natural sugar in honey slightly raises your insulin and allows tryptophan to enter your brain more easily, so taking a tablespoon of honey before bed can help you get a good night’s sleep.
Nutmeg. It is a popular home remedy for insomnia, especially in warm milk. Nutmeg is rich in magnesium, an essential mineral that your body needs to reduce nervous tension. It also stimulates the release of serotonin, which switches to melatonin in your brain to induce sleep.
Studies also show that nutmeg actually contains trace elements of narcotics that can help release various neurotransmitters that induce relaxation and sleep. Nutmeg also has a known thermogenic effect that essentially triggers your metabolism to burn extra fat while you sleep.
