Nails
This Is the Manicure You Should Get, Based on Your Astrological Sign
7 Foods and Drinks That Will Help You Sleep BetterDrift off to dreamland. |
Can what we eat and drink affect how well we sleep? According to science, yes. Since today is World Sleep Day, we wanted to track down the best foods and beverages to help us catch some zzzs. So we turned to HelloFresh Nutrition Associate Meghan Dillon, MS, RDN, CDN.
Turns out certain foods and drinks can increase the body's natural production of melatonin. Not to mention activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms while enabling rest and relaxation. Although there are certain foods that should be avoided before bedtime.
"Despite the probiotic health benefits found in pickled or fermented foods, these items should be avoided before bed because they contain a substance which may impair sleep," explains Dillon. "These foods contain the amino acid tyramine, which causes the adrenal gland to stimulate our sympathetic nervous system sending our body into fight or flight mode. Having our sympathetic nervous system activated before bed can increase the amount of time it takes to fall asleep as our body does not feel calm and sufficiently relaxed to drift into sleep."
Here are seven food and drink options to help you get some quality shut-eye.
Image via andresr/Getty Images