Sleep often evades us when we need it most, but there are simple ways to increase your chances of a quality shut-eye.
Fortunately, dietary interventions are becoming increasingly recognised for their role in the battle against poor sleep.
Dr Michael Breus, also known as The Sleep Doctor, took to his TikTok to share foods that could promote “better” sleep.
Speaking in the video, he said: “People ask me all the time, ‘What are some good, positive foods for sleep?’
“So, I’ve assembled a few here to let you check them out,” the doctor said looking over a colourful spread placed on a kitchen counter.
The number one food on the doctor’s list is the humble banana which can be bought for a couple of pennies.
Dr Breus said: “Bananas are actually called nature’s sleeping pill – believe it or not. They are loaded with magnesium.”
The yellow fruit seems so potent that the Sleep Doctor made another TikTok, focusing on making banana tea.
He said: “I want to tell you about a drink that will help you sleep before bed. It’s actually called banana tea.”
The first step in the preparation is washing your banana skin and cutting of the tip and the stem.
Then you cut the banana in half and leave the peel on and the fruit in.
Dr Breus continued: “At this point, I’m going to drop it into three cups of boiling water.
“Let it boil for three to five minutes or until the banana turns brown.”
Once you’ve boiled the fruit, you’re good to drink the hot banana water and sleep.
However, if you’re not a fan of bananas or banana tea, the Sleep Doctor also recommended the following foods to try:
- Kiwis – help promote serotonin in the brain which is the calming hormone
- Yoghurt – contains calcium which is a “very essential” by-product in the sleep process
- Pineapple – packs a lot of melatonin which puts you into a state of quiet wakefulness that helps promote sleep.
Adding these foods to your dietary regimen could be a simple measure to help you get “better sleep”, according to the expert.
