The food we consume is essential for our body to function properly, recent research shows that there seems to be an actual relation between food and sleep. If you are looking to stop tossing and turning or counting sheep at night why not substitute a few sleep-inducing foods into your daily routine.
We have compiled a list of 7 foods that are naturally high in melatonin, serotonin, magnesium, vitamin B6 and tryptophan which will help your body relax and fall asleep faster.
1. Avocados
This green goddess is high in unsaturated fats which can increase your serotonin levels and is a great source of magnesium. Adding avocado toast or guacamole as a snack to your daily routine might just be the trick you need for a better night's sleep.
2. Soy
Soy products contain lots of magnesium which relaxes muscles and tryptophan which is an amino acid and plays a key role in creating serotonin and is connected to your brain's release of melatonin.
3. Cherries
These little red delights not only taste great but are high in melatonin. The brain secretes melatonin hormone every night a few hours before bed to help your body relax and adjust to sleeping better. By choosing to eat a handful of cherries before bed you can increase the level of melatonin and help your body get into its nighttime routine.
4. Hummus
Hummus is another food that is both high in magnesium and tryptophan. Having hummus as your after-dinner snack would help to relax your muscles and help your circadian rhythm's nighttime routine.
5. Dark Chocolate
I know what your thinking, “There is no way that eating chocolate can actually help me sleep better at night” but you would be wrong. Having a few squares of your favorite dark chocolate bar before bed can actually help you fall asleep and sleep better. Dark chocolate is naturally high in serotonin; serotonin helps regulate mood, appetite, digestion, sleep and body functions.
6. Bananas
Bananas just like most of the other foods listed above are high in magnesium and tryptophan but also are a great source of vitamin b6 and potassium. Which all do their part to help the body relax and sleep better.
7. Fish
Fish may be the last on our list but it is certainly not the least! Fish, in particular tuna, salmon and halibut are all high in melatonin, tryptophan and vitamin b6. Try adding some fish to your dinner plans and see how this little change could help you sleep better at night.
