‘Try it tonight and thank me later’: Alaya F swears by this nighttime drink to ‘detox, de-bloat and digest’

Ingredients :

• Ajwain (carom seeds) ½ tsp
• Jeera (cumin seeds) ½ tsp
• Saunf (fennel seeds) ½ tsp
• Adrak (crushed ginger) ½ tsp
• Pudina (mint leaves) some
• Sabja seeds (basil seeds) 1 tsp, pre-soaked

Talking about the benefits of this debloat drink, Garima Goyal, a nutritionist, told indianexpress.com that this concoction helps in relieving bloating, nausea, and constipation, while Sohini Banerjee, consultant dietician, ILS Hospitals, Howrah (Kolkata), added that the concoction makes for a “rich source of many vitamins and minerals.” Both experts decoded the health benefits of the ingredients making up Alaya’s night-time drink:

Sabja or Basil: A natural detox and body coolant, soaked sabja seeds come to your rescue if you are experiencing acidity, bloating or headache.

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,” said Goyal.

Ginger, known for its distinct spicy flavour, is rich in gingerol (Source: Freepik)

Fennel or Saunf: Fennel seeds (saunf) also help reduce GI distress due to their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. “If you are not a fan of jeera water, the best way to beat the bloat is to correct the way you eat,” Goyal said, further suggesting that “chewing food properly, not eating fast, and knowing when to stop are some of the key points to keep in mind.”

Mint or Pudina: The main ingredient in mint, menthol, can relax the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, reducing discomfort and spasms.

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 mentioned.

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.

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.