Discover five surprisingly effective anti-inflammatory drinks that go beyond the familiar advice to sip green tea all day. These flavorful beverages not only taste great but also offer compounds and probiotics that support the body’s efforts to reduce chronic inflammation.
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Table of Contents
- Why Do We Want to Reduce Inflammation?
- List of the 5 Surprising Anti-Inflammatory Drinks
- Stinging Nettle Tea for More Than Just Allergies
- Discount Code for Farmhouse Teas
- Black Tea as an Anti-Inflammatory
- What is Tibicos?
- Powerful Properties of Turmeric Golden Milk
- What is Tepache?
- More Anti-Inflammatory Videos
- The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
- Kitchen Academy Videos
- Shop for items used in this blog post or video
Why Do We Want to Reduce Inflammation?
Inflammation is a natural immune response that helps the body heal after an injury. Short-term inflammation is beneficial, but when inflammation becomes chronic it can damage cells and increase the risk of many health problems. Managing chronic inflammation through diet and lifestyle can support long-term health. Including anti-inflammatory drinks is one accessible and enjoyable step toward that goal.
- Learn more about inflammation with the National Institute of Environmental Health Science
Disclaimer
Note: I am not a doctor. This information is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. If you are unwell or considering changes to your treatment, consult a health professional before trying new remedies or supplements.
- Mary’s Nest Website Disclaimer Text
List of the 5 Surprising Anti-Inflammatory Drinks
Green tea is often recommended for its health benefits, but there are several other delicious choices that also support reduced inflammation. Below are five beverages you can find at stores or prepare at home. Each offers unique nutrients, probiotics, or phytochemicals that help the body manage inflammation.
- Stinging Nettle Tea
- Black Tea (hot or iced) and Kombucha brewed from black tea
- Tibicos (water kefir)
- Turmeric Golden Milk
- Tepache
This post is not sponsored. I use and recommend the products and ingredients I mention, and I share options for buying them premade or preparing them at home.
Stinging Nettle Tea for More Than Just Allergies
Stinging nettle has a long history as a herbal remedy, especially for seasonal allergies. Because allergies involve inflammatory responses, nettle’s traditional use has prompted modern research into its anti-inflammatory compounds. Whether brewed hot or served over ice, nettle tea makes a pleasant, mild drink that can be part of an anti-inflammatory routine.
- Learn more: Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L.): Nutritional Composition, Bioactive Compounds, and Food Functional Properties
If nettle is hard to find locally, specialty herbal suppliers carry dried nettle for tea blends and tinctures.
Discount Code for Farmhouse Teas
Farmhouse Teas offers high-quality herbs and blends suitable for teas and home remedies. There is a curated inflammation-support collection and a discount code for readers who want to buy ingredients and supplies directly from their selection.
Use the provided code for a discount when ordering from Farmhouse Teas on their site.
- Anti-Inflammatory Drinks
- This blog post and its companion video
- Ingredients for anti-inflammatory blends from Farmhouse Teas
Black Tea as an Anti-Inflammatory
Black tea is often overlooked in favor of green tea, yet it contains polyphenols and other compounds with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. You can enjoy black tea caffeinated or decaffeinated, hot or iced, sweetened or plain—its beneficial properties are present in many preparations.
- Learn more: Research on black tea’s immunomodulatory properties
How to Make Kombucha with Black Tea
Kombucha is a fermented, lightly effervescent beverage made from tea and a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast). Brewing kombucha with caffeinated black tea provides food for the culture and yields a probiotic-rich drink that supports gut health and can contribute to reduced inflammation.
- Learn more: Overview of kombucha as a probiotic beverage
Pro tip: For best results brew kombucha with caffeinated black tea so the SCOBY has the nutrients it prefers.
What is Tibicos?
Tibicos, also called water kefir, is a fizzy, probiotic beverage fermented with water kefir grains. These translucent grains feed on sugars and fruit during fermentation, producing a slightly tangy, effervescent drink that supports gut health. Improved gut balance can help the body regulate inflammation more effectively.
- Learn more: Water kefir and its effects on gut microbiota and intestinal markers
Water kefir is available premade, but it’s also simple to make at home. After your first ferment, try a short second ferment with tart cherry juice to add anti-inflammatory anthocyanins and natural carbonation.
Water Kefir Grains from Cultures for Health
Water kefir grains can be purchased from specialty suppliers and used repeatedly to make batches of tibicos at home.
Powerful Properties of Turmeric Golden Milk
Turmeric is prized for curcumin, a compound with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. To maximize turmeric’s benefits, consume it with fat and black pepper—both increase curcumin’s absorption. Golden milk, made with full-fat dairy or coconut milk, turmeric, and a pinch of black pepper, is a comforting and effective anti-inflammatory drink.
- Curcumin/turmeric supplementation research
- How black pepper and fat enhance turmeric absorption
How to Make Turmeric Milk – The Right Way!
To prepare golden milk, warm full-fat milk or coconut milk, whisk in turmeric and a pinch of black pepper, and sweeten lightly if desired. For convenience, make a dry golden milk spice mix to keep on hand for quick preparation.
What is Tepache?
Tepache is a traditional Mexican fermented drink made from pineapple rind and sweetener. It’s lightly effervescent and probiotic-rich, and it’s an excellent way to reduce food waste by using the whole fruit. While specific studies on tepache are limited, fermented beverages generally support gut health, which in turn can help control inflammation.
To enhance tepache’s anti-inflammatory potential, include the pineapple core along with the rind. The core contains bromelain, an enzyme linked to anti-inflammatory effects, so using the whole pineapple makes for a more beneficial drink.
- Learn more: Research on bromelain’s anti-inflammatory properties
Try making tepache at home to enjoy a probiotic, low-waste beverage that supports digestive health and likely contributes to lower inflammation.
More Anti-Inflammatory Videos
See all →
5 Most Surprising Anti-Inflammatory Drinks
You can find these surprising and flavorful anti-inflammatory drinks at your local grocery store or make them at home.
5 Most Surprising Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Find these beneficial foods at your local grocery store or learn how to make many of them at home.
How to Make Tepache – An Anti-Inflammatory Fermented Pineapple Drink
This sparkling fermented pineapple beverage is rich in probiotics to support a healthy digestive system.
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The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
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Shop for items used in this blog post or video
Favorite Drink Making Supplies
- Large Measuring Cup
- Mesh Strainer
- Colander
- Flour Sack Towels
- Beverage Bottles
- Pitcher with Air-Tight Seal
- Farmhouse Teas Anti-Inflammatory Drink Ingredients (Use the discount code for a purchase discount)
Favorite Kitchen Supplies
- Favorite Aprons
- Spice Grinder
- Countertop Burner
- Handheld Vacuum Sealing System
- Vacuum Lids
- Whisk
- Silica Gel Packets
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- 8-Quart Slow-Cooker
- Fat Separator
- Flour Sack Towels
- pH Strips
Recommended Reading
- The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
- Nourishing Traditions