Wondering whether there are specific drinks that can support your thyroid health? When you have a thyroid condition such as Hashimoto's or Graves’, what you drink is just as important as what you eat.
Of course, every person is different and has different needs and preferences, but these are some of my top picks for thyroid-supportive beverages.
What to drink for a happy, healthy thyroid
Apple cider vinegar in water
Now first off, let me say: I do not believe that apple cider vinegar is a miracle drink that can cure every ill!
But what I do love about it is that it can be used to stimulate digestion. The acidity of ACV may also help to break down protein in the stomach, particularly if you have low stomach acid.
As sluggish digestion and low stomach acid are common gut issues in hypothyroidism, this makes it a great morning drink to kickstart your day.
What about hyperthyroidism? Well research has shown that ACV may help to slow gastric emptying. As people with hyperthyroidism often suffer from rapid gastric emptying, diarrhoea and poor absorption of nutrients as food passes too quickly through the gut, this could be a handy way to relieve some digestive symptoms.
Take about 1 tablespoon of ACV (with mother is ideal) in a small amount of water. If you suffer from poor appetite in the morning, this may help to increase your hunger levels.
Bone broth
Another beverage you can enjoy is bone broth. Bone broth is packed full of nutrients including essential minerals to support thyroid health.
It can be a good way to get some protein in if you have poor digestion and struggle to eat protein-dense foods. For those who experience low blood pressure, it’s an easy way to get some extra salt and water in to regulate your blood pressure. And of course, bone broth contains gut-soothing ingredients, which is a must for anyone with thyroid issues.
Of course, you can use this in your meals as well! Add bone broth instead of water to recipes such as pasta sauces, curries and stews. It will give a beautiful, rich flavour to the dish.
Does bone broth sound like too much hard work? There are two ways to make it simple:
Use your slow cooker to make the broth. You can pop it on in the morning before you head off to work, then strain and store it in the evening.
Consider a bone broth concentrate. You can find these at your local health food stores and even independent supermarkets. Simply add a small amount to a cup of hot water, and you have instant bone broth!
Herbal teas with collagen
Another great way to stay hydrated is with herbal teas. I love having my herbal teas with collagen, as it adds extra protein to my day and keeps my energy levels steady.
There are so many herbal teas out there, so which are best for thyroid health?
For hyperthyroidism, I often recommend lemon balm. It is a calming herb that can help to decrease your anxiety. You can buy a lemon balm tea or even grow your own lemon balm at home!
For hypothyroidism, my go-to teas are withania (ashwagandha), chamomile, gotu kola and licorice teas. Withania is a herb that may increase the production of thyroid hormone, and helps the body to cope with stress.
Of course, chamomile helps with stress and sleep, but it also has further benefits. Studies have found that chamomile may protect the thyroid from disease and cancer. Gotu kola is used to relieve many common low thyroid symptoms including fatigue, brain fog and poor circulation.
Licorice is also used for fatigue as it supports low cortisol levels, as well as being soothing for the gut. Just make sure you skip it or opt for deglycyrrhizinated licorice if you have elevated blood pressure. When in doubt, check with your health professional first.
Medicinal mushroom tea
Medicinal mushrooms have gained a lot of attention over the past few years. And no, they aren’t the same as ‘magic mushrooms’!
These super mushrooms contain potent health-supporting properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, immune-modulating, anti-fatigue and anti-depressant.
Different mushrooms have different benefits, so it’s worth having a look at which offer benefits specific to your goals.
My top pick for your thyroid would have to be cordyceps. Research has found that it can reduce antibodies significantly in both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease - by up to 35-50%!
To make a medicinal mushroom ‘tea’, add the mushroom powder or liquid of your choice to a cup of warm water. Or you may like to add in other ingredients such as mylk, cocoa and a drizzle of honey or stevia to make it a mushroom hot chocolate.
I also prescribe liquid mushroom blends to my clients based on their health goals. Remember to consult with your practitioner before taking any new supplements or superfoods to make sure it’s right for you.
Filtered water
Finally, I couldn’t gather this list without mentioning the ultimate beverage for the human body - water!
We all know drinking plenty of water supports just about everything in the body. In fact, you can check out some of the benefits right here.
But when it comes to thyroid health, water quality is just as important as quantity.
That's why I use and recommend Zazen water filters.
The Zazen water filtration system reduces:
Fluoride
THMs
Heavy metals
Bacteria
And because it is designed to replicate Mother Nature's water cycle, it tastes delicious and refreshing - just like water from a natural spring!
You can learn more about Zazen filters here.
Looking for more actionable tips and information about supporting your thyroid?
Make sure you grab a copy of one of my ebooks! If you have hyperthyroidism or Graves’, check out this ebook here. If you have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s, this is the ebook for you.
