Sleep is very important when it comes to your health. A lack of sleep can not only make you feel grumpy, but increase the risk of medical conditions like obesity, heart disease and diabetes. But poor sleep can occur as a result of stress, computers and taking work home, says the NHS. So what can you do to ensure a good night’s rest.
Many experts recommend having a milky drink before bed.
Milk – a protein rich food – contains the sleep-inducing amino acid tryptophan.
Tryptophan is needed for the body to produce serotonin, serotonin is then used to make melatonin, a hormone that helps to control your sleep and wake cycles.
But an additional ingredient added to your milk could make the drink more effective.
Turmeric is a powerhouse of health benefits and can be enjoyed in a milky drink.
From fighting inflammation to supplying antioxidants, the popular Ayuverdic medicinal spice is widely used to aid sleep quality.
Initial studies in mice have found turmeric can protect against oxidative damage and sleep deprivation, as well as lower anxiety levels.
For those with chronic conditions, it’s anti-inflammatory properties may also prove useful.
Another drink which has been found to help with sleep is passionflower tea.
In a seven-day study [A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality], 41 adults drank a cup of passionflower tea before bed.
They then rated their sleep quality significantly better when they drank the tea, compared to when they did not drink the tea.
