8 kinds of food that will help you sleep better
MANILA, Philippines – We all aim for a daily dose of good night's sleep. However, for some of us who are already used to sleeping at 2 a.m., adjusting your body clock to a normal is quite a difficult task.
But worry no more, because there is nothing that food cannot resolve. Here are the 10 foods that would help you sleep better.
Walnuts
These nuts contain tryptophan, which makes you sleep. Askdrsears.com says that tryptophan is the amino acid that the body uses to make serotonin, the relaxing neurotransmitter that slows down nerve traffic so your brain isn’t so busy.
Walnuts. Moyan Brenn/CC BY-ND
Milk and cheese
You probably know by now that milk let's you sleep better. But the truth is, any food containing Calcium is sleep-inducing. Calcium assists the brain in using tryptophan found in dairy to manufacture sleep-triggering melatonin.
Milk and toasted bread with brown cheese. Andreas Åkre Solberg/ CC BY-NC-SA
Lettuce
Lettuce is not just a weight-losing food. It also helps you get a dose of good night sleep. Lettuce lactucarium, which has sedative properties. As a matter of fact, Henriettes claims that moderate doses of it act as a narcotic poison for lower animals, and 10 or 20 grains swallowed by a dog will cause sleep.
Gem Lettuce, Chervill Cress, Crispy Garlic Salad, White Balsamic. Alpha/ CC BY-NC-SA
Salmon
Salmon, just like tuna, is high in Vitamin B6, which speeds up the production of melatonin and serotonin in your body.
Breaded Salmon with Broccoli. Jack Kennard/CC BY-NC-ND
Tea
We are all familiar with the relaxing property of tea. Research says a cup of tea before you sleep will increase glycine, a chemical that acts as a mild sedative that soothes your nerves and relaxes your muscles.
Chamomile Tea. Daniel Go/CC BY-NC
Crustaceans
Aside from walnuts, shrimps and lobsters are also good sources of tryptophan.
Shrimp and corn chowder. Leszek Leszczynski/CC BY
Pineapple
Vitamin C-rich fruits are also essential for serotonin production. Gobble down a slice of your favorite Vitamin C-rich fruit to get a healthy dose of sleep.
Pineapple.Tom Allender/ CC BY-NC
Cereal
Feeling hungry at midnight? Try eating cereal. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that eating cereal and other easily digested carbs such as jasmine rice or white bread led people to fall asleep faster.
Cereal. Musicfanatic29/CC BY
