A good night’s sleep is essential for overall health and fitness. When you sleep, your body rejuvenates and repairs itself.
It consolidates learning and memories and removes waste. Muscles are repaired. There is much more going on inside your body when you sleep.
A recent study at the University of Rochester Medical Center says that important immune cells called microglia, which play an important role in reorganizing the connections between nerve cells, fighting infections, and repairing damage, are also primarily active while we sleep.
Researchers say that there is an important relationship between sleep and brain health.
Sleep disturbances may in fact trigger the onset of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The journal Nature Neuroscience published this study. Here, let us take a look at a few foods that can help you sleep better.
Walnuts
These are one of the best food sources of the sleep-regulating hormone melatonin. Grab a handful of walnuts before bedtime for a good night’s sleep. These also contain an omega-3 fatty acid that’s converted to DHA in the body. DHA increases production of serotonin, a sleep-enhancing brain chemical.
Fatty fish
These contain omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, which help stimulate the production of serotonin, a sleep-promoting brain chemical.
Kiwi fruit
These are rich in serotonin, a brain chemical that helps regulate your sleep cycle. It is also a rich source of vitamin C and carotenoids, which again help you sleep better.
Almonds
These are a rich source of the sleep-regulating hormone melatonin. It also contains magnesium, which may help improve sleep quality.
Tart cherries
These contain melatonin, tryptophan, potassium, and serotonin, all of which help you sleep better. Moreover, it is also rich in polyphenols, which may also influence sleep regulation.
Credit:Healthsite
