7 Foods That Help You Sleep Better

If you're having trouble sleeping or wake up in the middle of the night, these 7 foods will help you a lot to sleep better.

1 - Cherries

Cherries are among the few natural foods that contain melatonin- the chemical responsible for our biological clock, and which regulates our circadian rhythm. If you're suffering from insomnia these surely would help to find the rhythm of sleep as shown by a study.

2 - Jasmine Rice

Jasmine rice has a high glycemic index, which means the body digests it slowly, releasing sugar slowly and gradually into the bloodstream. A research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2007 found that eating jasmine rice four hours before bedtime helps people fall asleep faster.

3 - Herbal Tea

A number of studies have found that the root of the valerian plant speeds up the process of falling asleep, and improves the quality of sleep. Some claim that drinking brews made of valerian, chamomile, and calendula plants (all decaffeinated), has a sleep- inducing effect. However, others claim that the cause for sleepiness isn’t the plants themselves, but rather the ritual of preparing and drinking the tea before bed.

4 - Milk
You may have noticed that in American movies and TV shows, a child who is having trouble sleeping is often given a glass of warm milk to help him sleep better. This is no Hollywood folk remedy – milk contains the amino acid tryptophan, which is one the materials involved in the production of serotonin in the brain. Although the subject is debatable, some believe that tryptophan and serotonin make falling asleep easier.

5 - Bananas

Bananas aid in falling asleep because they contain potassium and magnesium – natural substances responsible for relaxing the body’s muscles. They are also considered carbohydrates, the digestion of which is also related to sleepiness. Regardless of sleep, bananas are a winning ace; the contain an abundance of vitamins and minerals that are necessary to us.

6 - Turkey

Like milk, turkey also contains tryptophan, and that might be the reason for the drowsiness that tends to attack American Thanksgiving diners at the end of their meal. However, don’t count on a heaping plate of turkey to solve your insomnia; the amount of tryptophan in turkey meat is relatively small, and provide a small push for those having trouble falling asleep, but is in no way a remedy for chronic sleeping problems.

8 - Breakfast Cereal

Eating carbs in general benefits sleep, but cramming a bag of cookies right before you go to bed is probably not the best idea. Instead, try eating a bowl of whole cereal for dinner (with milk, which has its own contribution for sleep- tryptophan, remember?). If the idea of eating cereal in the evening doesn’t appeal you, you can choose a different complex carbohydrate, like quinoa, grits, or buckwheat for instance.

Will you try it?