Fulfilling your dreams of getting better sleep could just be a snack away.
It you’re trying to ditch the sleeping pills and opt for a healthier way to maximize your shut-eye, a few additions to your diet could make all the difference.
These doctor- and dietician-approved foods can help calm your mind, regulate your circadian rhythms and take away your tension.
Tart cherries, sweet dreams
Noticeably more acidic than sweet cherries, tart cherries consist of perhaps the most crucial element for getting a good night’s sleep: Melatonin.
A hormone that is produced in the pineal gland in the brand, melatonin helps to regulate the circadian rhythm, or your body’s sleep-wake system, helping to promote sleepiness.
“One of the only natural sources of melatonin, tart cherries have been shown to improve both the length and quality of sleep,” dietician Tanya Zuckerbrot told The Post, pointing to a 2018 study published in the American Journal of Therapeutics as proof.
“Adults who drank tart cherry juice every day slept over an hour longer each night and had better overall sleep efficiency,” said Zuckerbrot, who founded the F-Factor, a weight loss and health optimization program based on fiber-based nutrition.
While tart cherries are often found in sauces and baked goods, if you can tolerate half a cup to one cup of this unsweetened fruit, it’s best to consume them in the evening — and a healthier option than juice.
“Whole fruit is always preferable to juice because the natural fiber slows the release of sugar into the bloodstream, helps regulate appetite hormones and supports better digestive health,” said Tanya.