The surprising foods you should ALWAYS eat before bed if you want a good night's sleep (and the late-night snacks to avoid at all costs)
- Sleep expert Sammy Margo shares the five foods you should eat to rest well
- They include bananas, almonds and turkey
- She also reveals what never to have before sleeping, including alcohol
Insomnia affects roughly one in three people, while most adults struggle to get a full eight hours every night.
The reason for our restless nights could be the foods and drinks we're having just before we go to bed, according to a sleep expert.
Sammy Margo, author of The Good Sleep Guide, has revealed the five surprising foods we should always snack on before we try to fall asleep - before sharing the five we should never have before bed.
1. BANANAS
Sleep expert Sammy Margo has revealed the top five foods to eat for a good night's sleep including bananas
Bananas are rich in magnesium, a muscle relaxant, as well as sleep-promoting hormones serotonin and melatonin.
A recent survey by Simba Sleep found that the average adult manages just 6 hours and 28 minutes of sleep a night, and misses out on 6 hours and 10 minutes of sleep each week.
2. HONEY
A teaspoon of honey contains glucose, which tells your brain to shut off orexin, the chemical known to trigger alertness.
Turbulent thoughts are the most common cause of a sleepless night, with 53 per cent of people unable to stop their mind racing when the lights go out, according to the survey.
3. ALMONDS
Almonds can naturally reduce muscle and nerve function, helping you to sleep, says Margo
Almonds contain tryptophan and magnesium, which both help to naturally reduce muscle and nerve function while also steadying your heart rhythm, says Margo.
The survey also revealed that a quarter of people are kept up by soaring stress levels.
4. OATS
Grains in oatmeal trigger insulin production and raise your blood sugar naturally.
Oats are also rich in melatonin, according to Margo.
5. TURKEY
Turkey is another snack you can eat late at night to help you sleep easily as it contains tryptophan, which encourages sleep
The post-Christmas lunch nap is no coincidence – turkey is packed with sleep-inducing tryptophan, says Margo.
Just 11 per cent of Brits have tried modifying their diet to see how it improves their quality of sleep, according to the recent study.
Of those actively attempting to improve their sleep health through diet, a calming cup of chamomile tea is their sleep aid of choice, followed by a glass of hot milk or some wine.
... AND THE FOODS TO ALWAYS AVOID BEFORE BED
A nightcap (right) can make you drowsy but Margo says avoid drinking more than that if you want a good night's sleep
1. ALCOHOL
A nightcap can make you feel drowsy, however drinking more alcohol prevents you from getting into the deeper stages of sleep and can lead to grogginess the next day.
More than half of Brits enjoy a nightcap to help them sleep, says the study.
2. SPICY FOOD
Spicy foods can give you indigestion, and it is speculated that capsaicin, an active ingredient in chilli peppers, may affect sleep via changes in body temperature.
3. FATTY FOODS
Fatty foods such as ice cream will produce acid and cause heartburn that could disturb your sleep
Greasy foods cause your stomach to go into overdrive to digest them, producing acid in the stomach which can spill up into your oesophagus, causing sleep-disrupting heartburn.
Burgers, fast food, ice cream, or super cheesy foods should be avoided before bed.
4. COFFEE
One of the most common sources of caffeine, the stimulant has a half-life of five hours, which means 25 per cent of it is still working through your system even 10 hours later.
More than one in ten believe a cup of caffeinated coffee helps them to nod off, according to the study.
5. CHEESE
Hard cheeses contain an amino acid which makes us feel more alert and less tired, says Margo
Hard cheeses and processed meats contain higher levels of the amino acid tyramine, which causes the brain to release a chemical that makes us feel alert.
Margo said: 'While particular foods and drinks may feel warming, those that are spicy, caffeinated, or high in fat and protein can play havoc with our sleep.
'Lying down after eating a spice-laden meal can result in heartburn and a restless night. Fatty foods high in protein, like steak, digest slowly and may disturb our Circadian rhythm.
'Plus, whilst a nightcap can make you feel drowsy, excessive alcohol prevents you from getting into the deeper stages of sleep, and may make you feel groggy the next day.'
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