Foods That Help Improve Sleep

Sleep is very important in every aspect of our health. 

You know, sleep deprivation and insomnia are unfortunately not given the due attention it deserves. According to experts, sleeping less than 8 hours a day could take a severe toll on your bodily functions. Our body needs a minimum of 8 hours to rest and recover from the day’s work.

 Sleep is linked to healing and repair of your heart and blood vessels. Inadequate sleep could cause irritability, hinder your focus and brain power, amount to weight gain and trigger depression. If there is a significant increase in your insomniac spells, it is advised to consult a doctor immediately. 

Good news is that there are foods and drinks containing compounds which control parts of our sleep cycle and help us fall and stay asleep

For someone that is very picky when it comes to food, I would definitely want to have the liberty of picking foods that may help me get the best sleep possible. How about you? 

Well, here are some foods that can help you improve your sleep;

1. Almonds contain high doses of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the sleeping and waking cycle.

2. Bananas could also help you sleep comfortably. They contain muscle-relaxing magnesium and potassium. 

3. Sweet potatoes are also great sources of potassium, magnesium and calcium. Similar to bananas, the sweet potato’s components have been shown to help you relax and lower your blood pressure before bedtime.

4. Warm milk helps sleep with ease. Wondering how this helps? Dairy foods contain tryptophan, which is a sleep-promoting element. Please replace milk with bananas, if you are allergic to milk.

5. Cherries contain melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates our sleep-wake cycle

6. Pineapple can help you fall asleep by giving a boost to the melatonin production in your body.

7. Oats are filling, weight loss-friendly and one of the best sleep-inducing foods too. They contain sleep-inducing melatonin that will help you sleep off in no time.

8. Watermelon helps push water through your system and keeps you hydrated. It also contains choline, a nutrient that has been shown to help with sleep disturbances.

Most importantly be mindful of what you eat and drink before bed.