Even though the importance of sleep is stressed by doctors and health experts aplenty, more often than not we end up compromising on it.
Be it late night television watching, stress, work, or insomnia, sleep has become something of an evasive necessity. Luckily for us, with the help of some common ingredients, we can concoct drinks that are known to aid sleep.
So next time you face difficulty in calling it a night, try making one of these drinks to enjoy a fulfilling and relaxing night of undisturbed sleep.
Here’s a list of them below:
1. Warm milk
Milk is one of the oldest and most sought after natural cures to a sleepless night. It contains an amino acid known as tryptophan which when consumed is converted to the hormone melatonin, which helps regulate your natural sleep state.
Melatonin promotes sleep by combating sleep disorders like jet lag, stress, and insomnia. The reason for having milk warm is that it is soothing for the throat and rest of the body.
2. Chamomile tea
Apart from boasting of a host of health benefits like reducing inflammation and improving skin health, chamomile tea is known to improve the quality of sleep.
Studies have shown that the physical symptoms of sleep insufficiency were improved significantly by those who drank chamomile tea daily. A plus point is that unlike most teas, chamomile tea is free of caffeine, which makes it a calmer and more soothing drink.
3. Coconut water
Coconut water is brimming with magnesium and potassium, two minerals that have a relaxing effect on muscles. This helps in calming the body and allowing for an easier and more comfortable sleep.
Moreover, coconut water contains vitamin B, which is known to reduce stress levels.
4. Peppermint tea
The menthol present in peppermint tea is antispasmodic nature, which helps your muscles relax when undergoing physical or mental stress. Its antibacterial properties improve digestion, which reduces nighttime gut discomfort which could hamper sleep.
Traces of potassium and vitamin B also help in reducing stress and relaxing muscles, and the best part is that peppermint tea is caffeine free.
5. Milk and turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound that alleviates the causes of sleep deprivation like anxiety and depression. Combined with the tryptophan present in milk which regulates the body’s sleep-wake cycle, this drink is a great way to seal a night of comfort and good sleep.
6. Cherry juice
Cherries are loaded with sleep boosting compounds tryptophan and melatonin, and having a glass of cherry juice before bed can improve the quality of your sleep.
It comes in many varieties, but the tart variety packs the highest amount of melatonin, so try buying those cherries. Cherries are seasonal, so try to make use of its sleep inducing properties while its in full swing.
7. Banana smoothie
Bananas are a good snack at almost any time of the day, and blending it into a smoothie before bed will help you unwind comfortably after a long day.
Bananas are rich in magnesium and potassium, whose muscle relaxing effects can put you in a slumber. Also present are the amino acid tryptophan and melatonin, both of which promote sleep regulation.
8. Almond milk
Almond milk is made with whole almonds, which are loaded with so many nutrients that they provide a plethora of health benefits. Among the benefits lies aiding better sleep, which is the result of a combination of tryptophan, magnesium, and melatonin, all of which are known precursors to relaxing the body and promoting sleep.
Just one cup of almond milk contains 17 grams of magnesium, which is so potent to treat sleeplessness that it is used as a cure for insomnia.
