Inflammation is a natural immune response that your body has when it is under significant stress. If inflammation is a factor in so many diseases, it would make sense to reduce it, right? The answer is YES, but how do we do that?

Drinks like coffee can lead to side effects such as jitters that may worsen stress and anxiety.

Here are the top 3 herbal teas (paired with good nutrition) that you should be sipping to beat stress & inflammation in your 40’s and beyond.

• Green Tea contains compounds that will help to suppress inflammation in the body. The green tea amino acid, L-theanine (L-THE), has several health benefits including improvements in mood and a reduction of anxiety and stress. Loose-leaf teas have more nutrients and are going to have a better flavor and aroma than any standard tea bag. Matcha is a very popular powdered version of green tea that is high in antioxidants. Green teas help with glucose control and can speed up your metabolism.

  Additionally, green tea is known to improve mental clarity. Regularly drinking green tea can assist you in losing weight and reduce your risk of several diseases including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Some of my clients like to drink up to 5 cups of green-tea per day. It is a very soothing, healthy drink.

• Turmeric Tea is another option to help decrease inflammation. The bioactive compound found in this pretty bright orange tea is called Curcumin. Curcumin is linked to boosting dopamine and serotonin numbers. Many people find an improvement in their depression and anxiety when consumed daily. Be consistent for about 4 weeks to start seeing improvement.

  Beyond inflammation and stress, turmeric tea has also been used to treat arthritis symptoms. Stick with it and your metabolic rate will also increase making your body burn calories faster. Turmeric prevents toxins and alcohol from turning into compounds that can be harmful for the liver. This tea can also significantly lower your cholesterol. When taking alternative medications, you might have side effects, making tea a much healthier option.

• Ginger Tea is another one used as an anti-inflammatory with its active ingredients of gingerol, and shogaol. The spicy ginger root is amazing for your health and it’s completely natural. Drink ginger to sharpen your brain and beat stress. It will even reduce muscle pain after extreme workouts and physical activity.

  The best time to drink ginger tea is first thing in the morning. It ends your body’s fast from sleeping and charges up your metabolism. Many women use ginger tea to help with menstrual discomfort and it is also commonly known to help with nausea. It’s also fantastic for digestion and aiding in the absorption of food.

Which one sounds most intriguing to you? BONUS: Herbal teas count towards your water intake for the day as long as they are low in caffeine.