[ad_1]
Struggling to sleep through the night or waking up repeatedly can be incredibly frustrating – and reaching out to other Sleeping pills often seem like the easiest solution. But before turning to medication, there may be simple, diet-based alternatives worth trying. Certain everyday foods contain nutrients that can naturally calm the nervous system, relax the brain and support more restful sleep, providing a great way to improve sleep quality without heavy reliance on pills.
Read this also Feeling stressed for no reason? US doctor shares 6 daily habits that increase your cortisol levels: ‘Caffeine, skipped meals…’
Dr Kunal Sood, an anesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine physician, explains the science-backed benefits of an unlikely food that can help improve sleep quality – peanut butter. In an Instagram video shared on January 3, the physician explains how specific compounds and nutrients in peanut butter work together to calm the mind and support more restful sleep.
Peanut Butter and Sleep
According to Dr. Sood, there are three major reasons peanut butter can help you fall asleep – supporting relaxation and promoting deeper, more restful sleep. He outlines the following:
tryptophan
Dr. Sood says peanut butter contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which supports serotonin production and helps calm the brain, making it easier to relax and sleep. “Peanut butter contains tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin, which can have a calming effect on your brain,” he explains.
healthy fats
Peanut butter also contains healthy fats that help stabilize blood sugar levels, preventing sudden glucose spikes and crashes – a common reason some people wake up during the night. Dr. Sood highlights, “It’s also high in healthy fats, which can help stabilize your blood sugar. It does this by slowing the absorption of carbohydrates. Sometimes what causes you to wake up at night is the sudden spikes and drops in your blood sugar.”
magnesium
It’s also rich in magnesium – a mineral known to relax the nervous system and support deeper, better quality sleep. “Peanut butter also contains magnesium, which relaxes you and improves the quality of your sleep,” the doctor explains.
when to take it
Dr. Sood recommends eating peanut butter at least two hours before bed to give the body time to digest it and maximize the sleep-aiding benefits. They also highlighted that peanut butter may be effective for some people, but may not help everyone — but it is a low-risk option you can try to improve sleep.
He says, “If you’re going to eat before bed, it’s recommended to eat two hours before. It’s worth noting that, although peanut butter may help some people sleep, it’s not for everyone.”
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
[ad_2]
