Herbalist Sebastian Pole who is founder of Herbalreality.com , gives his advice on how to beat sugar cravings with natural alternatives.
Can we combat our regular sweet cravings? Well, of course, there are herbal alternatives if you find yourself regularly reaching for a sugary afternoon snack. There are some fantastic herbs that can help our body regulate our excessive sugar cravings and provide alternatives to excessive caffeine consumption. Here are my favourites:
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylancium and aromaticum): Cinnamon has a direct balancing effect on the blood sugar. Cinnamon impacts on insulin resistance through increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin, so that we are more reactive to changes in blood sugar levels; constituents in cinnamon such as cinnamaldehyde mimic insulin and improve glucose uptake in the body. Cinnamon also decreases the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream after a meal through its impact on numerous digestive enzymes slowing the breakdown of carbohydrates in the digestive tract. Cinnamon’s warmth improves overall digestive metabolism and nutrient absorption. It stokes a sluggish digestion, firing up our digestive ‘agni’.
Licorice (Glycyrrizha glabra): is the perfect natural replacement for sugar without the added calories. The primary constituent, glycyrrhizic acid, is naturally sweet in taste and is responsible for the characteristic taste associated with this herb. Licorice is also a natural adaptogen that nourishes the adrenal glands, helping to support and sustain energy levels.
Green Tea (Camellia sinensis): The therapeutic properties of this plant are attributed to its antioxidant capacity which protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. The presence of (epi-gallo-catechin-gallate) EGCG’s in the plant make it incredibly supportive to the cardiovascular system as a whole, protecting the integrity of the heart and blood vessels. Constituents such as caffeine, which is naturally present in this plant, works synergistically with compounds such as L-Theanine to increase serotonin, dopamine and gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. This significantly boosts mood without causing the characteristic ‘crash’ you may experience after drinking a strongly caffeinated drink. EGCG has also demonstrated the ability to reduce atherosclerosis and the build-up of cholesterol by reducing serum cholesterol, triglycerides and high density lipoproteins (HDLs), all of which can be an issue with excessive sugar consumption. Green tea is an excellent herb for improving overall metabolic rate without influencing ‘crashes’ in energy.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): is the perfect herb for encouraging endurance and boosting core energy levels. Ashwagandha is unusual in that it brings both energy and calm. It brings strength by helping you to rest more efficiently and helps you rest by making you stronger. It will enhance endocrine communication, strengthening the adrenal glands whilst also calming a hyperactive nervous system through moderation of cortisol, the thyroid and the reproductive organs. It is particularly useful in nervous exhaustion.
