KEY POINTS

  • Sleep deprivation is affecting a lot of people, most especially with the busy lifestyle of everyone nowaday's
  • You can combat sleep deprivation by eating some foods
  • The kiwifruit is known to help those who have sleep problems

Sleep deprivation can have a devastating impact on your life by eroding your physical and psychological wellbeing. Aside from being grouchy after waking up, the effects of not being able to sleep well can increase blood sugar levels and send your blood pressure soaring. These mechanisms can trigger more serious health problems like heart disease, which means sleep deprivation poses a grave threat to health.

Good thing there is a way to minimize the risk and resolve sleep deprivation without making huge lifestyle changes. For example, incorporating particular foods to your diet is a practical and simple way to restore the sleep-cycle back to normal. Growing evidence points to kiwifruit as among those that can help you restore your sleep cycle.

A Study on Kiwifruit

Studies that examine the potential of the fruit to improve the quality of sleep show that this fruit is among those best to consume before going to bed. In one study involving 24 adults, researchers asked them to consume two kiwifruits an hour before bedtime for four weeks.

kiwifruit for a good night's rest
kiwifruit for a good night's rest Shutterbug75 - Pixabay

At the end of the period, volunteers experienced drowsiness and sleep 42% more quickly compared to that time when they did not eat anything before going to bed. Aside from this, their ability to fall into a deep sleep without waking in the middle of the night has improved by at least 5%. Their overall sleep time also increased by at least 13%.

The sleep-enhancing effects of this tropical fruit are believed to be caused by their serotonin content. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that helps in controlling the sleep cycle. Some health experts also suggest that antioxidants found in a kiwifruit like carotenoids and vitamin C may also be partly responsible for its sleep-enhancing effect.

Other Sleeping Aids

You can also try consuming a banana before bedtime. This fruit is rich in magnesium, potassium, and tryptophan kick-start your sleep-cycle and help in promoting drowsiness and sleep. Potassium and magnesium have been linked to improving sleep quality and length because of their muscle-relaxing properties. Tryptophan, on the other hand, is an amino acid that helps in producing hormones that induce sleep like melatonin and serotonin.