When it comes to medicine, one great way to start getting healthy is by changing the way that you eat. If you go around eating junk all of the time, eventually you will begin to rely on pills instead of what nature has to offer. When it comes to promoting sleep, there are several chemicals found in foods that can help you get a good night’s rest. Adding foods that have these chemicals into your diet will be able to help you finally hit the hay.
Tryptophan
Do you ever wonder why after Thanksgiving everyone is ready for a nap? This is because turkey has the chemical tryptophan. You might also notice that it puts people in a good mood along with the holiday cheer. Tryptophan has shown in studies to help boost your sleep quality and your mood and is made naturally in your body, but if you are having trouble with sleep, adding additional tryptophan may be able to help.
Magnesium
Magnesium is one of those chemical words that sound scary, but its always good to remember that the word chemical itself isn’t scary. After all, we breathe oxygen. Without chemicals, we wouldn’t be able to survive. Magnesium is one of the most important minerals that you can add to your diet, helping to promote bone and heart health, a good mood, and your metabolism. Another superpower of this mineral is that it can help promote better sleep.
Calcium
We all know about calcium and how it helps our bones stay strong, but that’s not the only reason you should be packing this into your diet. Calcium is a natural sleep aid that can help you wind down before bed. Calcium is so good at helping you sleep because it contains the chemical tryptophan. Studies have shown that low levels of calcium are associated with disrupted sleep, so have a glass of milk before bed!
Niacin
Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, has shown evidence that it can assist in sleeping. Niacin reacts with the chemical tryptophan as well as promoting stress-reducing hormones to help people with insomnia. If you have lack of sleep because of depression or anxiety, this vitamin may be able to help.
Foods That Promote Good Sleep
- Nuts
- Soybeans
- Turkey
- Oats
- Beans
- Dark Chocolate
- Avocados
- Legumes
- Whole Grains
- Seeds
- Dark Leafy Greens
- Rhubarb
- Edamame
- Figs
- Mushrooms
- Green Peas
- Potatoes
Do you have a snack or drink that puts you to sleep? We would love to hear about it in the comment section below!
