Neha Dhupia’s 21-day anti-inflammatory challenge has gone viral online, with people excitedly participating and sharing their positive results with the Bollywood actor on social media. Following its success, Neha has begun sharing snippets of her own diet, starting with a bedtime debloat drink that helps her sleep better.
Taking to Instagram, she said that this natural nighttime drink helped reduce her bloating. “Here’s how I look at it…There’s nothing like a warm, fuzzy recommended drink ☕️ right before bedtime for better sleep thanks to @dieticianricha2095.”
Sharing the ingredients as saunf, ajwain, jeera, ginger and lemon (optional), Neha suggested boiling them in water for a couple of minutes, straining and consuming them before falling asleep.
This natural nighttime drink helped reduce her bloating. (Source: Instagram/@freedomtofeed)How effective is this drink?
Curious about its effectiveness, indianexpress.com reached out to Sohini Banerjee, consultant dietician, ILS Hospitals, Howrah (Kolkata), who helped us decode the benefits of these ingredients and also shared some important pointers to keep in mind:
Fennel or Saunf: Fennel seeds (saunf) help reduce GI distress due to their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Carom or Ajwain: Active enzymes in carom seeds improve the flow of stomach acids, which can help to relieve indigestion, bloating, and gas. “The plant can also help to treat peptic ulcers as well as sores in the oesophagus, stomach, and intestines,” said Banerjee.
Cumin or Jeera: Cumin tends to increase gut enzyme activity and enhance digestion. “Apart from being a relaxant for the GI, cumin seeds also contain certain antioxidant compounds that are also found to be anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic in nature,” she said.
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Ginger (Adrak): Ginger, known for its distinct spicy flavour, is rich in gingerol, a bioactive compound with anti-nausea, anti-inflammatory, and digestive benefits. “Ginger’s ability to stimulate saliva and digestive enzymes, combined with the anti-inflammatory properties of lime juice, can soothe the gastrointestinal tract,” Banerjee elaborated.
Lemon encourages the production of digestive juices in the gut. The drink’s properties can prevent constipation and promote regular bowel movements, she mentioned, adding that a happy gut also helps the body’s internal system function smoothly, allowing the nervous system to relax and get deeper, less interrupted sleep.
However, Banerjee reiterated that it is important not to consider it a substitute for munching or eating-related issues. According to her, the process of detoxification is mostly carried out by the liver and kidneys, and therefore, “depending exclusively on drinks for detoxification might not be adequate.” Thus, eating a well-balanced diet and staying hydrated are essential components of detoxification.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
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