Did you know that there are some simple, every day foods and beverages that can help you sleep better?
Below is a list of those foods and how they could potentially help you sleep better.
Tryptophan - Serotonin - Melatonin
In order to fall asleep we need to have enough melatonin.
Many people talk about how tryptophan and serotonin are needed for sleep. But what's actually happening is that tryptophan helps your body make serotonin and then serotonin is converted to melatonin.
So serotonin itself doesn't necessarily help you fall asleep (although in just the right amounts it can help you feel relaxed).
The other thing to keep in mind is that IF you have sufficient melatonin, adding more tryptophan, serotonin, or melatonin probably won't do much to help you fall asleep.
Also, melatonin as a supplement should only be taken short term. So, it is safer to boost your melatonin levels through food sources (although it won't be as strong as a pill).
GABA
Another major neurotransmitter involved in sleep is GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
GABA is a calming molecule that not only helps us sleep but also makes us feel relaxed and peaceful.
There are a few key foods that can help promote the natural production of GABA.
Keep in mind that some foods reduce GABA. These are foods that are high in glutamic acid.
Many foods naturally contain glutamic acid in small to moderate amounts and they do little harm to most people.
But a common food additive called monosodium glutamate (MSG) can push some people over the edge and cause anxiety and/or sleep disruption.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that has a relaxing effect on the body.
Maybe people report getting better sleep when they take a magnesium supplement before bed. And there is a lot of research to support that claim.
You can also use any magnesium-rich food to see if you get a similar effect.
Carbohydrates
I know that carbs are heavily demonized these days but they can help you sleep better!
As a matter of fact, some higher glycemic index carbs (meaning more carbs and less protein, fiber, or fat), have been shown to promote good sleep!
Apigenin
This is a polyphenol (plant nutrient) that helps promote sleepiness and may even help with insomnia.
It is abundant in chamomile tea. See the list below.
Below is a list of foods and how they can improve your sleep.
- Almonds: contain melatonin and magnesium
- Walnuts: contain serotonin
- Kiwi: contains serotonin
- Turkey, Chicken, Tahini, Cheese, Chickpeas, & Chocolate: contain tryptophan
- White Rice: high glycemic index foods 1 hour before bed may promote better sleep
- Oats: contain serotonin and may induce drowsiness like white rice
- Chamomile Tea: contains apigenin, a polyphenol that may promote drowsiness
- Passionflower and Valerian Root Tea: help the body produce GABA
- Tart Cherry Juice: contains melatonin and may promote drowsiness and relieve insomnia
- Fatty Fish: may enhance sleep quality and promote the production of serotonin
- Magnesium-Rich foods: have a calming effect and muscle relaxation
I recommend trying out some of these simple, every day, and tasty foods to see if they improve your sleep.
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REFERENCES
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