Eating walnuts before bed may help you sleep better (2024)

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Eating walnuts before bed may help you sleep better? ›

Walnuts contain a few compounds that promote and regulate sleep, including melatonin, serotonin, and magnesium. Each 100-g serving of walnuts also contains other nutrients that can help sleep, such as: 158 mg of magnesium.

Walnuts. Walnuts are a good source of the amino acid tryptophan. One serving of walnuts (about a handful) contains 318 mg of this beneficial amino acid (Self Nutrition Data, 2015b). Thus, eating a walnut-rich snack an hour or two before bed could help you drift off to sleep more easily.

Discussion: These data suggest that a daily serving of 40 g of walnuts provides an increase in melatonin which can be beneficial in improving sleep quality and in reducing daytime sleepiness in healthy young adults.

Melatonin (found in dairy and cherries) makes you sleepy, potassium (found in bananas) and magnesium (also found in bananas and almonds) help promote muscle relaxation. Furthermore, many herbs, often found in teas like chamomile and mint are considered sleep inducing, while the dairy in warm milk is effective as well.

One of the best nighttime snacks to improve sleep is a handful of nuts. Most nuts, but especially tree nuts such as walnuts, cashews, and pistachios, are high in tryptophan. This molecule boosts melatonin and serotonin production in the body, helping you fall asleep and stay asleep better.

Eating walnuts regularly also reduces levels of triglycerides, a type of fat linked to a higher risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. Walnuts and walnut oil are high in antioxidants that can lower blood sugar levels, which can reduce your risk of diabetes.

Ideally, you should eat walnuts early in the morning on an empty stomach. Though there is no specific best time to eat walnuts. They can be consumed as a snack between meals, added to breakfast, incorporated into salads or desserts, or enjoyed at any time that fits your dietary preferences and nutritional needs.

Excessive consumption of walnuts may cause diarrhea, bloating, stomach pain or kidney stones. Due to the phytic acid they contain, too many walnuts may also inhibit the absorption of dietary iron, calcium and zinc. Recommendation: One ounce (10-14) English walnut halves per day.

One study found that consumption of pineapple, oranges, and bananas. View Source increased melatonin production about two hours later. Kiwis have also been shown to have some sleep-inducing properties. In one study, adults with self-reported sleep problems were instructed to eat two kiwis an hour before bedtime.

Which food increase sleep at night? ›

Benefits of eating peanut butter before bed

Rich in nutrients, vitamins, and heart-healthy fats, peanut butter contains tryptophan, which aids in relaxation and sleep induction. Other nuts like almonds, walnuts, and cashews also support healthy sleep due to their melatonin, magnesium, and zinc content.

“Many nuts such as almonds, walnuts and pistachios have melatonin, along with magnesium and zinc, which together can help people get a better night's sleep,” Melendez-Klinger says. Spread some nut butter on a rice cake for the ultimate before-bed snack.

Bananas. Bananas are a great food all-round, but if you usually eat a banana for breakfast, you might want to think about enjoying this exotic fruit before bed instead. They are one of the best foods for sleep, due to their high levels of magnesium which relax the muscles and calm the body.

Is it good to eat an egg before bed? Eggs do contain a lot of protein, and protein has been shown to have a positive influence on sleep. For this reason having eggs for dinner may have positive influenc on your sleep.

Nuts. The problem with nuts: They're easy to overeat, which, in turn, can leave you dragging, says Babb. That's because nuts are high in fat, some of which is good for you, but too much will end up taxing your digestion and may even boost hormones that contribute to sleepiness.

Conclusions. Our results demonstrate the presence of high amounts of melatonin in walnut seeds, which vary with ripening and even after harvest when the fruits are edible.

The omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA, help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. As mentioned, tryptophan is essential for the synthesis of serotonin. Walnuts are packed with tryptophan, indirectly increasing serotonin levels. When these levels rise, we feel more relaxed, calm, and happy.