The quality of your sleep is as important as the quantity you get, and what you eat can be of benefit. These five foods improve rather than impair digestion and contain specific nutrients that help optimize sleep.
Fruit
Bananas, cherries, oranges and pineapple contain melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
Spinach
These leafy greens are high in magnesium, an essential mineral that can decrease insomnia.
Cottage cheese
Cottage cheese delivers a solid dose of tryptophan, an amino acid that can increase your serotonin production to combat insomnia.
Herbal teas
Ginger, chamomile or peppermint are caffeine-free and can help you relax before bed.
Walnuts
This nut contains gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps quiet neuron activity in the central nervous system to promote relaxation.