Falling asleep doesn't always come naturally to everyone. There are a plethora of reasons why one might be struggling to get a good night's sleep but did you know that certain drinks can help you improve your slumber?
Discover our latest podcast
Though we would recommend you see a doctor if your sleep troubles are ongoing, these beverages are a quick solution if what you are going through is atypical.
Cherry juice
This sometimes-tart, sometimes-sweet fruit has been proven to help improve the quality of your sleep time and again. Cherries contain tryptophan which has been scientifically proven to have a positive impact on your sleep. This special ingredient is an amino acid that—much like the hormone melatonin (which is also found in cherries)—helps regulate your sleeping schedule.
In particular, tart varieties of cherries such as the Montmorency cherry has been shown to contain six times more melatonin than sweeter kinds. Many studies have been conducted and all have come up with the same results; drinking at least (and no more) two cups of tart cherry juice each day increases one's levels of melatonin and aids in fighting insomnia.
Different types of tea
Chamomile, ashwagandha, valerian and peppermint teas have all been found to have positive effects on sleep quality. Chamomile, for one, helps relax and alleviate symptoms of anxiety which can be a factor in those suffering with insomnia.
Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry, has been used in alternative medicine for many years. Particularly, the root found in Ashwagandha contains compounds that have the ability to induce sleep when consumed in greater amounts.
Valerian, which is part of the honeysuckle plant family, has also been used to treat insomnia in alternative medicinal circles. Interestingly, one study found that those more prone to receive the positive effects on their slumber were menopausal women.
Peppermint is not only known for its antiviral, antimicrobial and anti-allergenic properties, it has also been linked to helping those with gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). And if that wasn't enough, improving quality of sleep is also part of the health benefits of this herb.
