This post has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert insight.
A healthy metabolism is supported by regular exercise, a well-balanced diet, and most importantly, a consistent morning and night routine. While there isn’t one magic drink that will speed up your metabolism instantly, there are certainly hot beverages you can sip before bed to soothe your body while sleeping and to wake up more comfortably.
For this reason, we checked in with health experts, Sara Chatfield, a registered dietitian, and nutritionist, and Josh Schlottman, a certified personal trainer and nutritionist. They agree that drinking rooibos tea before bed can reduce inflammation, promote healthy digestion, and ultimately, a healthy metabolism. Read on to learn more!
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Drink Rooibos Tea Before Bed For An Accelerated Metabolism
When many of us think of nighttime teas with immense benefits, choices like green, ginger, turmeric, or chamomile might come to mind. Rooibos tea, commonly known as red tea, is another effective option. It is naturally grown in and derives from South Africa, where Schlottman says people have drunk it for generations to help fall asleep while fighting inflammation simultaneously.
"Rooibos is an herbal tea made from fermenting its leaves, which causes it to get its reddish color," he says, adding that it is "packed with rich antioxidants found in its natural polyphenols." These, he adds, help lower inflammation by "fighting off damage-causing free radicals." Free radicals in the body cause oxidative stress, which often leads to inflammation.
As you might already know, chronic inflammation can affect many aspects of our health negatively, and a healthy diet can help to reduce this inflammation. While also drinking enough water and exercising, another way to combat inflammation is to create and follow a healthy sleep schedule.
"Rooibos is a great pick for drinking at nighttime as it is naturally caffeine-free and has many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties," Chatfield says. (And a healthy gut always leads to a healthy metabolism!)
She notes that this tea contains two flavonoids and antioxidant plant chemicals, which have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. "Rooibos tea has also been noted to help with blood sugar regulation," she continues. Red tea has a naturally sweet vanilla-like taste and can be enjoyed plain, with a squeeze of lemon, or a splash of your favorite type of milk, she suggests.
Rooibos tea, Schlottman concludes, is also naturally rich in minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and iron that can help you fall asleep faster. "Drink some rooibos tea at night a couple of hours before hitting the hay to get some deep sleep," he advises.
The Bottom Line
So, experts agree that drinking rooibos tea before bed can greatly help reduce inflammation, promote healthy digestion, and, eventually, boost your metabolism. This is because rooibos is antioxidant-rich and full of minerals like magnesium, calcium, and iron that can help you fall asleep faster. There's so much to love about this nighttime beverage—why not pour yourself a cup before bed? And, if you're looking for other metabolism-boosting drinks for faster weight loss, check out our list.
