Category_Recipes

Nourishing Mineral Broth

Written By: Rebecca Collins
Published at: November 30, 2021
Updated at: July 29, 2022

Feeling run down? Then mineral broth is for you (especially if you're bloated, gassy or IBS ridden). Mineral broth delivers tons of vitamins and minerals which are essential for your gut health and overall health. 

Mineral broth is a combo of vegetables, boiled for two hours. This allows the veggies to release all of their lovely vitamins and minerals for you to drink down - without taking on board too much gas producing fiber!

Ingredients

  • 6 unpeeled carrots, cut into thirds
  • 2 unpeeled yellow onions, cut into chunks
  • 1 leek, white and green parts, cut into thirds
  • 1 bunch celery, including the heart, cut into thirds
  • 4 unpeeled potatoes, quartered
  • 2 unpeeled sweet potatoes, quartered
  • A handful of kale
  • Fresh ginger, cut into chunks
  • 3 unpeeled cloves garlic, halved
  • 1/2 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 12 black peppercorns
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • Water

Method

  1. Rinse all of the vegetables well.
  2. In a large pot, combine the carrots, onions, leek, celery, potatoes, sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes, garlic, parsley, kale, pepper and bay leaves. Fill the pot with the water to 2 inches below the rim, cover, and bring to a boil.
  3. Remove the lid, decrease the heat to low, and simmer, uncovered, for at least 2 hours. As the broth simmers, some of the water will evaporate; add more if the vegetables begin to peek out. Simmer until the full richness of the vegetables can be tasted.
  4. Strain the broth through a large, coarse-mesh sieve. Add salt to taste.
    Overview [5 minute read]

    1. The 10-3-2-1-0 Sleep Rule

    2. The impact of stress

    3. Why magnesium helps you sleep

    4. Tips for middle-of-the-night-wakeups

    It’s 2AM. Again.

    You’re exhausted, frustrated, and staring at the ceiling—wide awake. You’ve tried melatonin, sleeping pills, and herbal teas, but nothing works long-term.

    The real issue? You’re stuck in the “wired + tired” cycle:

    Wake up exhausted → Drink more caffeine → Eat worse → Too tired to exercise → Late-night screen time → Can’t sleep → Repeat.

    This cycle doesn’t just leave you tired—it wrecks your metabolism, gut health, and hormones. It’s why so many people gain 2–5 kg per year and feel permanently burnt out¹. 

    The good news? You can sleep deeply—without medication.

    Here’s how to break the cycle for good.

    1. Follow the 10-3-2-1-0 Sleep Rule

    • This simple yet powerful rule helps reset your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle²:
    • 10 hours before bed → No caffeine. It stays in your system for hours, making it harder to fall asleep. 
    • 3 hours before bed → No alcohol. It can disrupt deep sleep³. 
    • 2 hours before bed → No work. Shut your laptop and let your brain unwind. 
    • 1 hour before bed → No screens. Blue light blocks melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep⁴. 
    • 0 snooze button → Get up at the same time every day to regulate your body clock. 

    Implementing the 10-3-2-1-0 rule can help break the "wired + tired" cycle by promoting healthier habits that align with your body's natural rhythms.

    Morning Rules You Should Know About

    • Quality sleep starts right from the morning. Morning bright light improves nocturnal sleep quality and next morning alertness⁵, as well as reducing sleep latency⁶.
    • Avoid Glucose Spike - Go for a low-GI breakfast, prioritising protein and healthy fats. Fruits can join the party - just skip the juices, as they’re low in fibres and can trigger an insulin spike. By keeping your glucose levels steady from the morning, you help prevent hormonal imbalances and avoid that energy rollercoaster!

    Research shows that a low-GI breakfast supports stable energy levels and cognitive function throughout the day ⁷ ⁸.

    2. Reduce stress 

    Chronic stress keeps cortisol high, leaving you wired at night and exhausted during the day. To break the cycle, you need to lower cortisol naturally.

    Best Natural Stress-Relieving Supplements
    • Saffron → Regulates cortisol levels⁹, boosts serotonin - improving mood¹⁰ and sleep¹¹.  
    • Ashwagandha → Lowers cortisol, helping you relax before bed¹². 
    • Rhodiola → Fights stress and burnout¹³. 
    • Lemon Balm → Calms a racing mind and reduces anxiety¹⁴ . 
    You’ll find a therapeutic dose of these ingredients in Gut-Brain™. 
    Other ways to lower cortisol:
    • Light to moderate exercise → Specifically, morning exercise helps to reduce sleep latency ¹⁵ and manage stress¹⁶. 
    • Breathwork → Deep belly breathing calms the nervous system¹⁷. 
    • Cold exposure → A quick cold rinse can lower stress hormones, especially when combined with deep breathing¹⁸. 

    By managing stress, you regulate your sleep hormones, improve recovery, and finally sleep deeply.

    Gut — Brainᵀᴹ

    A melatonin-free formula to better sleep, less stress, and calm, stim-free energy throughout the day.

    Improve sleep now

    3. Take magnesium

    Magnesium is a powerful sleep aid that calms the nervous system, reduces stress, and promotes deep sleep¹⁹ —yet many don’t get enough.

    Why Magnesium Helps You Sleep

    ✔ Supports a healthy sleep cycle →Indirectly regulates melatonin production .
    ✔ Lowers cortisol → Reduces stress for easier relaxation²⁰ .
    ✔ Regulates GABA function ²¹ → Aids in staying relaxed and asleep by reducing brain hyperactivity.
    ✔ Relaxes muscles → Prevents restlessness and cramps ²². 

    You’ll find a clinical dose of Magnesium in Gut-Brain™. 

    4. Fix middle-of-the-night-wakeups

    Waking up at 2–3 AM and can't fall back asleep? Blood sugar crashes, cortisol spikes, or poor sleep habits are likely to blame.

    Why It Happens
    • Blood Sugar Drops → High-carb meals before bed can cause overnight crashes²³. 
    • Cortisol Spikes → Stress hormones peak early in the morning, keeping you awake²⁴. 
    • Poor Gut Health → Inflammation disrupts sleep cycles²⁵. 

    How to Fix It

    • Focus on a protein-rich diet—Supergut Protein is a great way to hit your targets and keep your blood sugar steady²⁶. 
    • Take magnesium or saffron to lower cortisol. 
    • Keep your room dark, cool & quiet to prevent wakeups – Studies show that 20°C is the optimal temperature for this²⁷. 
    • Minimise alcohol – it affects sleep quality²⁸. 
    If You Wake Up at 2AM…
    • Don’t check your phone – blue light keeps you awake.
    • Try deep belly breathing – it lowers stress hormones.
    • Get up if needed – read in dim red lighting if you can’t sleep.

    By balancing blood sugar, lowering stress, and optimizing sleep habits, you’ll finally sleep through the night.

    5. Be cautious with OTC sleep aids

    Many people turn to over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids like Restavit (Doxylamine Succinate), antihistamines, or melatonin (synthetic hormone) when they struggle with sleep. While these can provide short-term relief, they often don’t address the root cause and may lead to dependency, grogginess, or side effects²⁹. 

    Should You Ever Take Sleep Aids?

    Short-term use (e.g., travel, stress spikes) can be helpful, but relying on them nightly isn’t ideal. If you need ongoing sleep support, natural solutions and lifestyle changes are safer long-term.

    Gut — Brainᵀᴹ

    A melatonin-free formula to better sleep, less stress, and calm, stim-free energy throughout the day.

    Improve sleep now

    Conclusion

    If you’re unsure where to start, Gut-Brain™ is a great first step toward better sleep.

    You may recognize some of its powerful, science-backed ingredients like saffron, ashwagandha, rhodiola, and lemon balm—all known for their ability to reduce stress and support relaxation. Plus, it includes a therapeutic dose of magnesium to help calm the nervous system and promote deep, restorative sleep.

    Everyone’s health journey is unique, and only you can decide what’s best for your body. Give natural sleep support a real shot—stick with it consistently and see how it works for you. 

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