Cold Hands or Feet? Drink This Before 10 A.M. | Dr. Mandell

Cold hands or feet, heavy-feeling legs, fatigue, and changes in mental clarity can have many causes, and healthy circulation is important for delivering oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. In this video, Dr. Alan Mandell shows you how to prepare a simple morning drink made with black tea, Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, and an optional squeeze of lemon. These ingredients contain naturally occurring compounds that have been studied for their potential effects on vascular and metabolic health. Black tea contains polyphenols, including theaflavins, and tea flavonoids have been investigated for their relationship with endothelial function and nitric-oxide-mediated vascular responses. Ginger contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, while cinnamon has been studied for its potential effects on glucose metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors. HOW TO MAKE IT: Add 1 black tea bag to 1 cup of hot water and steep for 3–5 minutes. Remove the tea bag and stir in 1/4 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, or use a few thin slices of fresh ginger. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon if desired. This video suggests enjoying the drink in the morning before 10 A.M. Ceylon cinnamon is used rather than Cassia cinnamon because Ceylon generally contains substantially less coumarin. Remember, cold extremities, leg heaviness, fatigue, or brain fog are not specific to poor circulation and can have many causes. Persistent coldness, discoloration, pain, swelling, numbness, weakness, wounds that do not heal, or new or worsening symptoms deserve medical evaluation. A beverage is not a treatment for peripheral artery disease, blood clots, or other vascular disease. If you have known vascular disease, diabetes, neuropathy, take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication, or have another medical condition, speak with your healthcare professional about dietary changes that may affect you.