Does Eating Fruits Really Help You Sleep Better? What Experts Say

A good night's sleep is very important to keep up the functioning of your body and mind. It helps recharge you to stay active throughout the day. But you will find people often complaining of disturbed sleep, with tossing and turning on the bed throughout the night. And unfortunately, the phenomenon has increased with growing stress in our everyday life. That's where your diet comes into play. How you plan meals and what you eat throughout the day play a major role in defining your day and sleep quality at night. In this article, we will delve in deep to understand how fruit plays a role in your overall sleep cycle. Let's elucidate further.

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Link Between Eating Fruits And Sleep Quality: Do Fruits Help Induce Better Sleep?

Fruits are considered superfoods for all the right reasons. They are packed with various essential nutrients that help promote better functioning of the body while nourishing you from within. According to a report by the Sleep Foundation (www.sleepfoundation.org), certain fruits, packed with vitamins C, and E and minerals like folate and potassium, have anti-inflammatory effects on your body, preventing oxidative stress and free radical damage. These functions further help you relax and improve your sleep quality.

A study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics weighs in that certain fruits like kiwis are linked to improved serotonin production in the brain that directly helps regulate your sleep cycle.

Also Read: 9 Common Foods You Call Vegetables Are Actually Fruits

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Is It Safe To Have Fruits Before Bedtime?

According to Ayurvedic expert Dr Ashutosh Gautam, "Traditional medical practice states that there should be a proper gap between your meals and consumption of fruits as both have different effects on the digestive system. While fruits get digested faster, meals rich in protein and fibre require more time and gastric juices to digest. Hence, we advise having fruit early in the evening for better digestion and nourishment. However, this could be altered according to individual need."

Bangalore-based nutritionist Dr Anju Sood weighs in that the best practice is to avoid having anything right before hitting the bed, which may interfere with your sleep. "When it comes to fruits, eating them right before going to bed can release a lot of sugar, causing the spike in energy when your body should be preparing to slow down and rest."

Also Read: 5 Tips to Sneak More Fruits Into Diet

Should You Avoid Fruits As Midnight Snacks?

While advising people to avoid fruits at night, Dr. Anju Sood said that people on a diet or people who get hungry in the middle of the night, may end up having a fruit or two as a healthy snack option. "But make sure the fruit you choose is not high in sugar to avoid unnecessary energy spikes in the middle of the night."

We say, while eating fruits always load you with umpteen nutrients and induce better sleep, the best practice is to avoid it just before hitting the bed. However, it is always better to consult an expert to customize your diet as per your health needs.

Eat healthy, and stay fit!

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.