After a long, tiring day, there’s nothing quite like sipping on a cup of hot tea to help you relax. And while this may be true for any time of the day, drinking tea before bed can provide extra benefits that make it an even better choice than other beverages. From helping you to fall asleep faster to improving your digestion and providing antioxidants that can fight off free radicals, here are five benefits of drinking tea before bed.
1. Help You Wind Down and Relax Before Sleep
Tea has long been known for its calming and relaxing properties, making it the perfect drink to enjoy before bed. Introducing tea into your bedtime routine can help you wind down and relax before sleep, allowing you a better night’s rest.
Many different types of tea can be enjoyed before bed, each with unique flavor and benefits. Chamomile tea is famous for its soothing effects, while lavender tea is also known for its relaxation-inducing properties. Other great options include chamomile-lavender tea, lemon balm tea, or passionflower tea.
Whichever type of tea you choose, steep it for at least 3-5 minutes to allow the nutrients and compounds to release into the water entirely. Drink it slowly and relax in the moments before sleep.
2. Tea Can Contain Natural Compounds That Promote Sleep
Tea contains natural compounds that can promote sleep. The most well-known combination is caffeine. While caffeine is a stimulant, it can also have a calming effect when consumed in small amounts. Caffeine can help promote sleep by blocking adenosine, a compound that makes you sleepy. Other compounds in tea, such as theanine, can also promote relaxation and sleep.
3. Drinking Tea Before Bed May Help Improve Sleep Quality
Drinking tea before bed may help improve sleep quality. Tea contains an amino acid called theanine, which has been shown to promote relaxation and sleep. Theanine also reduces anxiety and increases feelings of well-being. In addition, tea contains small amounts of caffeine, which can help improve alertness and reduce daytime fatigue. However, choosing a tea low in caffeine is essential to avoid disturbing sleep.
4. Tea May Help Reduce Stress Levels and Promote Feelings of Calmness
There are several benefits of drinking tea before bed; one is that it can help reduce stress levels and promote calmness. This is because theanine, an amino acid found in tea, has been shown to promote relaxation and reduce stress. In addition, theanine also helps to improve sleep quality by reducing the time it takes to fall asleep and increasing the amount of deep sleep.
5. Tea May Have Positive Effects on Heart Health
There are many benefits of drinking tea before bed, one of which may positively affect heart health. Tea contains antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and protect against cell damage. These properties may help keep the heart healthy and prevent heart disease and stroke. In addition, tea has been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, risk factors for heart disease. There is also some evidence that tea may improve circulation and reduce clots’ formation, which is also linked to better heart health. So if you’re looking for a way to improve your heart health, drinking tea may be a good option. Be sure to choose a healthy tea without added sugar or other unhealthy ingredients.