Cherry Chamomile Smoothie To Help Calm Anxiety & Aid Sleep
Did you know that Cherries are a nutrient-dense fruit, has a significant amount of essential nutrients and plant compounds that boost brain health? Researchers have found that consumption of cherries has a positive impact on brain health.
Memory and cherries
As we age, our memory and the ability to remember decline. The brain’s defense against oxidative stress and inflammation reduces, which affects the functioning of the brain. Studies have shown that eating cherries may improve brain function and lower levels of inflammation. Inflammation can birth mental health decline.
Sleep, Cognition, and cherries
As we know, good quality sleep is critical to mental health, cognitive function, and it helps remove toxins that accumulate in the brain. Studies show that the consumption of cherries affects the quality and quantity of sleep. This positive effect was seen in just 3-5 days of cherry consumption. A regular intake of cherries can increase the level of melatonin in the body. Melatonin, also known as the sleep hormone, regulates the sleep-wake cycle and improves overall sleep quality.
Stress Reduction and cherries
Another excellent study notes that cherries are one of the best natural stressbusters. Eating cherry regularly can uplift mood, reduce stress hormones in the body, and induce a feeling of calmness and happiness. Mental stress can hurt cognitive function. Being in a happy and relaxed state of mind can improve cognition and the ability to think. Adding cherries to your diet can improve mental health by keeping the brain calm and healthy.
In Conclusion: Consuming cherries can protect your sleep, fight memory loss, and help anxiety-related issues. Add fresh cherries to your daily diet for a healthy mind and body. Enjoy the recipe below!
Cherry Chamomile Smoothie
This recipe can help aid sleep and is filled with healthy, natural ingredients! I am a certified Integrative Mental Health Professional and, in my training, received this recipe from Dr. Leslie Korn, and want to share it with you. Many of my clients have expressed that it helped relax them and aid sleep.
You will want to make this smoothie an hour or two before you go to sleep. Cherries and chamomile tea help promote sleep and can treat insomnia. Chamomile tea is also loaded with antioxidants and has properties that may aid in digestion, too, and have a calming effect.
Mangos, seeds, and coconut will support blood sugar throughout the night so that you can rest peacefully. Blueberries or frozen bananas make a good substitute for mangos, too, if you don’t like mangos.
Ingredients:
1 cup almond or coconut milk 1⁄2 cup
Strong, cold chamomile tea
Add: 1 cup frozen (or fresh) cherries
1 cup frozen mangos
1 tsp. flax seeds (or flaxseed oil or lemon-flavored fish oil)
1⁄2 tsp. chia seeds
1 Tbs. coconut cream or coconut oil 3 drops liquid stevia 1 drop vanilla extract (optional)
Directions:
Place all ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth. Keep a quart of strong chamomile tea in the fridge or make “chamomile tea ice cubes” to add to evening smoothies. Enjoy!
Benefits of Chamomile Tea
It can relax the nerves and soothes the nervous system
Fights harmful bacteria, and has the ability to boost your immune system
It can help prevent cold
It can soothe a stomach ache
A digestive relaxant
A gentle relaxant
Can help fade spots and eliminate acne scars
It can help relax the body and reduce stress! According to Dietician Anshul Jaibharat, "Chamomile tea is a gentle relaxant and acts as an effective natural sedative, thereby reducing stress.”