Getting a good night’s sleep is extremely important for you to wake up refreshed and alert. It is as essential as having a balanced and nutritious diet. While various reasons like stress, anxiety, and loneliness among others can hamper peaceful sleep, experiencing prolonged insomnia can lead to various health problems like poor control of blood pressure, depression and may trigger some attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
Needless to say, insomnia is one of the biggest perils of an urban lifestyle, however, rarely have we been told that there are some food items that are immensely helpful in promoting sleepiness. Acknowledging this as the need of the hour, nutritionist Lovneet Batra revealed some of the food items that can ‘beat insomnia’.
Sharing a video on insomnia-beating food, the nutritionist listed the health benefits of each item. She started the clip by asking, “Do you struggle with sleep? One in three people have problems with sleep – and it’s worse for women. So, here are the top five foods to beat insomnia and send you to sleep.” The nutritionist continued by listing those food items:
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Ashwagandha
The main ingredients of Ashwagandhas are withanolides, which are believed to ease stress and aid in other health problems. Further, Lovneet informed that it includes “triethylene glycol that may bring on sleepiness”. She suggested having it 30 minutes before bedtime for a peaceful sleep.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is well known for easing stress. The health expert said that on the days you don’t feel like turning in, all you have to do is dip a chamomile tea bag in some lukewarm water. She said, “Chamomile tea is choco-full of apigenin, an antioxidant that binds to receptors in the brain that promotes sleepiness.”
Almonds
Loaded in fibre and good fats, almonds are helpful in preventing chronic disease. They are a rich source of magnesium, which is immensely helpful in regulating sleep-promoting melatonin.
Pumpkin seeds
Also known as pepitas, Pumpkin seeds contain “tryptophan as well as a good amount of zinc,” and both these ingredients are well known for helping “the brain turn tryptophan into serotonin which is the precursor to melatonin.”
Nutmeg milk
While it is believed that having a glass of milk before going to bed helps in a good night’s sleep, adding a dash of nutmeg to it will “aid in improving sleep conditions.” “Milk contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid that helps to raise serotonin and melatonin levels in the body, both of which can help induce sleep,” the nutritionist said.