If getting more sleep is one of your New Year’s resolutions, there are plenty of health-related reasons to keep you motivated as you work toward your goal.
Getting less than seven hours of sleep per day is associated with an increased risk of developing chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and poor mental health.
Why You Always Wake Up Tired
If you can consistently nab seven or more hours of restful sleep a night, there are many positive health benefits to reap, such as reduced stress, improved mood, and a reduced risk of heart disease.
Eating for Better Sleep
Struggling to Sleep? These 11 Foods Could Help You Rest Better
You might not know that what you eat and drink during the day can also affect your sleep—both positively and negatively. If you aren’t getting good sleep, looking at your diet might give you clues as to why. Even if you’re already sleeping well, adding certain foods or drinks to your diet could make your sleep even better.
While some foods and beverages can interfere with a good night’s rest (like caffeinated drinks, spicy food, and large amounts of alcohol), some can actually help your sleep.
Here are seven foods and drinks that might help you in your quest for a restful slumber.
Milk
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There might be something to the old-school recommendation of enjoying a warm cup of milk before bedtime. The protein in milk provides a source of tryptophan. In large amounts,tryptophan can produce a calming effectthat may help you fall asleep. If you are already eating foods that contain tryptophan (like turkey), topping your day off with a warm mug of milk can give you an extra boost.
Another benefit of dairy foods like milk, yogurt, or cheese is that they can help you feel satisfied longer between meals because of their protein content. This means that you won’t go to bed hungry.
With the combination of protein, tryptophan, and the soothing effect of a warm beverage, milk can help you relax and get in the right frame of mind for dreamland.
Cholesterol in Milk: Which Kind Is Good vs. Bad?
Walnuts
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Walnuts are a great nighttime snack because they containmelatonin, an important plant compound related to maintaining a healthy sleep cycle.
The natural magnesium found in these little nuts can help you get some shut-eye too. Since this mineral binds to a neurotransmitter responsible for calming nerve activity, having a more quiet nervous system can help you on your quest to get some rest.
If you have depression, you might have trouble falling or staying asleep. Research has shown that people who regularly eat nuts like walnuts have lower depression scores compared to non-nut consumers.
Kiwi
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A fuzzykiwifruitcan give you a bedtime boost. In one study published in theAsia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who ate two kiwifruits one hour before bedtime fell asleep 35% faster than night’s they didn’t have a kiwi snack.
Kiwifruit naturally containsserotonina chemical that plays a role in sleep cycle regulation.
Why Eating Kiwi May Improve Your Well-being
Breakfast
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While it’s often thought of as a meal to help keep people focused and full of energy during their busy days, research has also linked eating a nourishing breakfast with better-perceived sleep quality and sleep onset.
To get the full benefits of “the most important meal of the day,” choose breakfast foods that are nutritious and free from added sugars and trans-fats.
Tofu
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Tofuand other soy-based foods are rich in flavonoids called isoflavones. According to one study conducted on Japanese subjects, a higher daily isoflavone intake has been positively associated with optimal sleep duration and quality.
Having a tofu stir fry for dinner or a bedtime snack of edamame might help you get a head start on a good night’s rest.
Chamomile Tea
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Nothing is quite as soothing as sipping on a warm mug ofchamomiletea. Known for its sleep-supporting qualities, the tea is a popular remedy among people who have a hard time falling asleep.
While any cup of tea can be a calming end to your day, chamomile tea is unique because it contains an antioxidant called apigenin that has been shown to promote sleepiness in some people.
Chamomile Tea When You’re PregnantIf you pregnant and in your first trimester, talk to your healthcare provider before pouring yourself a cup of chamomile tea before bed. Large quantities have been linked to an increased risk of uterine contractions.
Chamomile Tea When You’re Pregnant
If you pregnant and in your first trimester, talk to your healthcare provider before pouring yourself a cup of chamomile tea before bed. Large quantities have been linked to an increased risk of uterine contractions.
Tart Cherry Juice
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Tart cherries are, as the name implies, a bit more tart than what you expect from a classic cherry. While they’re not always found on the grocery store shelves, they are delicious and chock-full of nutrients.
Noshing on tart cherries ordrinking tart cherry juiceas a sleep remedy has been used for many years. Tart cherry juice can naturally raise your body’s melatonin levels. One study showed that drinking tart cherry juice can increase sleep time and sleep efficiency.
Why a Good Night’s Sleep Is Important for Your Health
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1 in 3 Americans don’t get enough sleep.United States Department of Health and Human Services.My Healthfinder: get enough sleep.Jenkins TA, Nguyen JC, Polglaze KE, Bertrand PP.Influence of tryptophan and serotonin on mood and cognition with a possible role of the gut-brain axis.Nutrients. 2016 Jan 20;8(1):56. doi:10.3390/nu8010056Morell P, Fiszman S.Revisiting the role of protein-induced satiation and satiety.Food Hydrocolloids. 2017;68:199-201. doi:10.1016/j.foodhyd.2016/08.003Meng X, Li Y, Li S, et al.Dietary sources and bioactivities of melatonin.Nutrients. 2017;9(4):367. Published 2017 Apr 7. doi:10.3390/nu9040367Cao Y, Zhen S, Taylor AW, Appleton S, Atlantis E, Shi Z.Magnesium intake and sleep disorder symptoms: findings from the Jiangsu Nutrition Study of Chinese Adults at five-year follow-up.Nutrients. 2018 Sep 21;10(10):1354. doi:10.3390/nu10101354Arab L, Guo R, Elashoff D.Lower depression scores among walnut consumers in NHANES.Nutrients. 2019 Jan 26;11(2):275. doi:10.3390/nu11020275Lin HH, Tsai PS, Fang SC, Liu JF.Effect of kiwifruit consumption on sleep quality in adults with sleep problems.Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2011;20(2):169-74.Gwin JA, Leidy HJ.Breakfast consumption augments appetite, eating behavior, and exploratory markers of sleep quality compared with skipping breakfast in healthy young adults.Curr Dev Nutr. 2018 Aug 28;2(11):nzy074. doi:10.1093/cdn/nzy074Cui Y, Niu K, Huang C, Momma H, Guan L, Kobayashi Y, Guo H, Chujo M, Otomo A, Nagatomi R.Relationship between daily isoflavone intake and sleep in Japanese adults: a cross-sectional study.Nutr J. 2015 Dec 29;14:127. doi:10.1186/s12937-015-0117-xSalehi B, Venditti A, Sharifi-Rad M, Kręgiel D, Sharifi-Rad J, Durazzo A, Lucarini M, Santini A, Souto EB, Novellino E, Antolak H, Azzini E, Setzer WN, Martins N.The therapeutic potential of apigenin.Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Mar 15;20(6):1305. doi:10.3390/ijms20061305The University of Texas-El Paso.Herbal safety: chamomile.Losso JN, Finley JW, Karki N, Liu AG, Prudente A, Tipton R, Yu Y, Greenway FL.Pilot study of the tart cherry juice for the treatment of insomnia and investigation of mechanisms.Am J Ther. 2018 Mar/Apr;25(2):e194-e201. doi:10.1097/MJT.0000000000000584
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1 in 3 Americans don’t get enough sleep.United States Department of Health and Human Services.My Healthfinder: get enough sleep.Jenkins TA, Nguyen JC, Polglaze KE, Bertrand PP.Influence of tryptophan and serotonin on mood and cognition with a possible role of the gut-brain axis.Nutrients. 2016 Jan 20;8(1):56. doi:10.3390/nu8010056Morell P, Fiszman S.Revisiting the role of protein-induced satiation and satiety.Food Hydrocolloids. 2017;68:199-201. doi:10.1016/j.foodhyd.2016/08.003Meng X, Li Y, Li S, et al.Dietary sources and bioactivities of melatonin.Nutrients. 2017;9(4):367. Published 2017 Apr 7. doi:10.3390/nu9040367Cao Y, Zhen S, Taylor AW, Appleton S, Atlantis E, Shi Z.Magnesium intake and sleep disorder symptoms: findings from the Jiangsu Nutrition Study of Chinese Adults at five-year follow-up.Nutrients. 2018 Sep 21;10(10):1354. doi:10.3390/nu10101354Arab L, Guo R, Elashoff D.Lower depression scores among walnut consumers in NHANES.Nutrients. 2019 Jan 26;11(2):275. doi:10.3390/nu11020275Lin HH, Tsai PS, Fang SC, Liu JF.Effect of kiwifruit consumption on sleep quality in adults with sleep problems.Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2011;20(2):169-74.Gwin JA, Leidy HJ.Breakfast consumption augments appetite, eating behavior, and exploratory markers of sleep quality compared with skipping breakfast in healthy young adults.Curr Dev Nutr. 2018 Aug 28;2(11):nzy074. doi:10.1093/cdn/nzy074Cui Y, Niu K, Huang C, Momma H, Guan L, Kobayashi Y, Guo H, Chujo M, Otomo A, Nagatomi R.Relationship between daily isoflavone intake and sleep in Japanese adults: a cross-sectional study.Nutr J. 2015 Dec 29;14:127. doi:10.1186/s12937-015-0117-xSalehi B, Venditti A, Sharifi-Rad M, Kręgiel D, Sharifi-Rad J, Durazzo A, Lucarini M, Santini A, Souto EB, Novellino E, Antolak H, Azzini E, Setzer WN, Martins N.The therapeutic potential of apigenin.Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Mar 15;20(6):1305. doi:10.3390/ijms20061305The University of Texas-El Paso.Herbal safety: chamomile.Losso JN, Finley JW, Karki N, Liu AG, Prudente A, Tipton R, Yu Y, Greenway FL.Pilot study of the tart cherry juice for the treatment of insomnia and investigation of mechanisms.Am J Ther. 2018 Mar/Apr;25(2):e194-e201. doi:10.1097/MJT.0000000000000584
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1 in 3 Americans don’t get enough sleep.United States Department of Health and Human Services.My Healthfinder: get enough sleep.Jenkins TA, Nguyen JC, Polglaze KE, Bertrand PP.Influence of tryptophan and serotonin on mood and cognition with a possible role of the gut-brain axis.Nutrients. 2016 Jan 20;8(1):56. doi:10.3390/nu8010056Morell P, Fiszman S.Revisiting the role of protein-induced satiation and satiety.Food Hydrocolloids. 2017;68:199-201. doi:10.1016/j.foodhyd.2016/08.003Meng X, Li Y, Li S, et al.Dietary sources and bioactivities of melatonin.Nutrients. 2017;9(4):367. Published 2017 Apr 7. doi:10.3390/nu9040367Cao Y, Zhen S, Taylor AW, Appleton S, Atlantis E, Shi Z.Magnesium intake and sleep disorder symptoms: findings from the Jiangsu Nutrition Study of Chinese Adults at five-year follow-up.Nutrients. 2018 Sep 21;10(10):1354. doi:10.3390/nu10101354Arab L, Guo R, Elashoff D.Lower depression scores among walnut consumers in NHANES.Nutrients. 2019 Jan 26;11(2):275. doi:10.3390/nu11020275Lin HH, Tsai PS, Fang SC, Liu JF.Effect of kiwifruit consumption on sleep quality in adults with sleep problems.Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2011;20(2):169-74.Gwin JA, Leidy HJ.Breakfast consumption augments appetite, eating behavior, and exploratory markers of sleep quality compared with skipping breakfast in healthy young adults.Curr Dev Nutr. 2018 Aug 28;2(11):nzy074. doi:10.1093/cdn/nzy074Cui Y, Niu K, Huang C, Momma H, Guan L, Kobayashi Y, Guo H, Chujo M, Otomo A, Nagatomi R.Relationship between daily isoflavone intake and sleep in Japanese adults: a cross-sectional study.Nutr J. 2015 Dec 29;14:127. doi:10.1186/s12937-015-0117-xSalehi B, Venditti A, Sharifi-Rad M, Kręgiel D, Sharifi-Rad J, Durazzo A, Lucarini M, Santini A, Souto EB, Novellino E, Antolak H, Azzini E, Setzer WN, Martins N.The therapeutic potential of apigenin.Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Mar 15;20(6):1305. doi:10.3390/ijms20061305The University of Texas-El Paso.Herbal safety: chamomile.Losso JN, Finley JW, Karki N, Liu AG, Prudente A, Tipton R, Yu Y, Greenway FL.Pilot study of the tart cherry juice for the treatment of insomnia and investigation of mechanisms.Am J Ther. 2018 Mar/Apr;25(2):e194-e201. doi:10.1097/MJT.0000000000000584
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1 in 3 Americans don’t get enough sleep.
United States Department of Health and Human Services.My Healthfinder: get enough sleep.
Jenkins TA, Nguyen JC, Polglaze KE, Bertrand PP.Influence of tryptophan and serotonin on mood and cognition with a possible role of the gut-brain axis.Nutrients. 2016 Jan 20;8(1):56. doi:10.3390/nu8010056
Morell P, Fiszman S.Revisiting the role of protein-induced satiation and satiety.Food Hydrocolloids. 2017;68:199-201. doi:10.1016/j.foodhyd.2016/08.003
Meng X, Li Y, Li S, et al.Dietary sources and bioactivities of melatonin.Nutrients. 2017;9(4):367. Published 2017 Apr 7. doi:10.3390/nu9040367
Cao Y, Zhen S, Taylor AW, Appleton S, Atlantis E, Shi Z.Magnesium intake and sleep disorder symptoms: findings from the Jiangsu Nutrition Study of Chinese Adults at five-year follow-up.Nutrients. 2018 Sep 21;10(10):1354. doi:10.3390/nu10101354
Arab L, Guo R, Elashoff D.Lower depression scores among walnut consumers in NHANES.Nutrients. 2019 Jan 26;11(2):275. doi:10.3390/nu11020275
Lin HH, Tsai PS, Fang SC, Liu JF.Effect of kiwifruit consumption on sleep quality in adults with sleep problems.Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2011;20(2):169-74.
Gwin JA, Leidy HJ.Breakfast consumption augments appetite, eating behavior, and exploratory markers of sleep quality compared with skipping breakfast in healthy young adults.Curr Dev Nutr. 2018 Aug 28;2(11):nzy074. doi:10.1093/cdn/nzy074
Cui Y, Niu K, Huang C, Momma H, Guan L, Kobayashi Y, Guo H, Chujo M, Otomo A, Nagatomi R.Relationship between daily isoflavone intake and sleep in Japanese adults: a cross-sectional study.Nutr J. 2015 Dec 29;14:127. doi:10.1186/s12937-015-0117-x
Salehi B, Venditti A, Sharifi-Rad M, Kręgiel D, Sharifi-Rad J, Durazzo A, Lucarini M, Santini A, Souto EB, Novellino E, Antolak H, Azzini E, Setzer WN, Martins N.The therapeutic potential of apigenin.Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Mar 15;20(6):1305. doi:10.3390/ijms20061305
The University of Texas-El Paso.Herbal safety: chamomile.
Losso JN, Finley JW, Karki N, Liu AG, Prudente A, Tipton R, Yu Y, Greenway FL.Pilot study of the tart cherry juice for the treatment of insomnia and investigation of mechanisms.Am J Ther. 2018 Mar/Apr;25(2):e194-e201. doi:10.1097/MJT.0000000000000584
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