Monday, September 15, 2014

Foods that help you sleep better

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/diet/Foods-that-help-you-sleep-better/articleshow/24750918.cms


Sleep deficiency is one of the most common problems faced by people of all ages these days. Popping pills is dangerous, so why not try something natural and healthy? Go from being a nocturnal creature to a sound sleeper by making some small changes in your diet.

Bananas
Bananas contain potassium, which relax the muscles. Vitamin B6, which bananas are loaded with, increases your body's melatonin levels, thereby helping treat chronic insomnia.

Cherry

Drinking cherry juice in the morning aids in sleeping as it contains large amounts of melatonin, which helps regulate the body's sleep and energy cycles. Grape is another fruit that has high levels of melatonin.

Cereal
Snacking on a bowl of low-sugar, whole-grain cereal is a good idea. Complex carbohydrate-rich foods up the amounts of tryptophan in the bloodstream, which in turn helps you sleep.

Almonds
Almonds, which are high in magnesium, promote sleep and relax the muscles. They also supply proteins that help maintain a stable blood sugar level while one is asleep, and promote sleep by switching from an alert adrenaline cycle to the rest-and-digest cycle.

Sweet potatoes
High in potassium and complex proteins, sweet potatoes relax muscles and induce sleep. Consuming them on a daily basis has shown to lead to better sleep.

Warm milk

A good ol' glass of warm milk actually does work wonders. Research has found that combining milk with a carbohydrate-rich food like oatmeal, granola or toast makes it much more effective. It's also high in calcium and other minerals, known to have a relaxing effect.

Honey
Glucose, which is found aplenty in honey, tells your brain to shut off orexin, which is a chemical that is known to trigger alertness. But, don't overdo it; just one tablespoon of honey is enough for a good night's sleep.

Dark chocolate
Ditch milk chocolate and nibble on some dark chocolate instead, as it contains serotonin, which relaxes your body and mind, and induces sleep.