Bananas are known for their delicious taste and impressive nutrient profile. They are rich in potassium, amino acids, soluble dietary fibre, magnesium and energy giving. Bananas are easy to incorporate into the diet. They can either be consumed as a snack or one can enjoy bananas in shakes, smoothies and desserts.
In this article, we will specifically talk about the benefit of bananas in improving our sleep health.
A regular sleep cycle is crucial for our health. Irregular sleep might cause cognitive issues, hypertension, poor immune health, increased risk of metabolic disorders like weight gain, diabetes and heart diseases. Therefore, one should make sure to have at least 7-8 hours of sleep per day.
There are several foods that aids in improving sleep quality and a banana is one of them. Bananas are rich in potassium which makes them a perfect muscle relaxant. Muscle spasms and pain are some of the reasons which might disrupt sleep. This is commonly observed among people who are actively involved in sports like athletes. In addition, potassium deficiency can also make us feel tired. In addition, when banana is consumed before bedtime, it provides energy and prevents sleep disruption due to late-night hunger.
Apart from potassium, another reason which makes banana good for sleep is magnesium. Magnesium also plays a key role in boosting health by preventing muscle spasms and maintaining bone density. Magnesium deficiency has been linked with troubled sleep and increased anxiety. This is because magnesium mineral promotes the level of GABA. Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter produced in the body and has been known to suppress stress and anxiety. Reduced stress relaxes our brain nerves, soothes the mind and encourages sound sleep. Some studies have shown the significant effect of bananas in alleviating insomnia.
Bananas also contain an amino acid called tryptophan. This amino acid helps in improving sleep quality as it is required for the synthesis of Serotonin and Melatonin. Serotonin is again a neurotransmitter that makes us feel good, eases our mind and aids in sleep. Melatonin is a sleep hormone that is known to induce sleep. Therefore, being rich in tryptophan, bananas are a boon for our sleep health.
Hence, if you are unable to have sound sleep or suffering from insomnia, try having a banana at bedtime. You can also consume it with a glass of warm milk. Milk also contains tryptophan and combining them together may prove fruitful.
REFERENCES
The Best Foods to Help You Sleep. (2020, August 14). Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/