Foods That Help You Sleep

The Link Between Cherries And Insomnia 

By: Jonathan Townsend

The various medical studies about the properties of cherries have shown significant proof that cherries could be one key to curing insomnia. Usually reserved as a pie filling or the topper for an ice cream sundae, cherries offer so much more for insomnia sufferers. Research has proven a very beneficial link between cherries and insomnia. In particular, a certain hormone in cherries, called melatonin, is the critical link for treating insomnia.

What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone that makes you feel tired. Melatonin is naturally made in the body by the pineal gland. It is produced by the body during sleep and around the night hours to induce sleep. The body produces less of it as we age, though, which is thought to be directly related to age related insomnia.

Melatonin is a natural way to fight insomnia because it does not have side effects and is all natural and safe. Yet, when the body does not produce enough melatonin a person may start to exhibit symptoms of insomnia. That is where the link between cherries and insomnia come in.

Cherries and Insomnia
When a person's body is not producing enough melatonin, they may start to experience insomnia. Not knowing the cause, some people typically reach for medications and other sleep aids to get rid of the insomnia. Sleep aids can cause side effects and many medications have been known to cause dependency, which can be dangerous.

Cherries are packed with melatonin. The high concentration of melatonin in cherries makes them very potent against insomnia. In particular, it is the skin of the cherries that contains the most benefit. Consequently, eating cherries is a natural way to boost melatonin in the body and is a natural way to get relief from insomnia. Instead of using pills, a person can simply eat a few cherries and reap the same benefits without the risks.

The Cherries and Insomnia Cure
Specifically, the best way to use cherries to fight insomnia is to eat them right before going to sleep. Though there is no definitive evidence to suggest the proper amount of cherries to eat, researchers believe that a handful of cherries before bedtime should be adequate to gain the benefits of the melatonin.

Though cherries as a cure for insomnia may have never crossed your mind, the research has shown that the high levels of melatonin in cherries is more than enough to help people suffering from insomnia. So, the next time you have a bit of trouble sleeping, give cherries a try.






About the Author
Jonathan Townsend writes about The Link Between Cherries and Insomnia for The Insomnia Project - understanding the causes of and cures for insomnia. (ArticlesBase SC #121972)
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - The Link Between Cherries And Insomnia

Insomnia Video Help – Foods That Help You Sleep

10 Things you need to know about Sleep - Eat to Sleep 

Foods to Sleep By - What Makes You Tired? 
By Robert Owens 
Our bodies are constantly influenced by the foods we eat. The basic hunger pain can always be resolved by a quick sandwich or fruit. However, the foods you choose may manipulate your behavior depending on how sensitive your immune system is to that particular food or protein. 

Can food be used to help your body act or behave a certain way? What kind of meal or basic late night snack can you eat to make it one of the foods to sleep by? Warm milk at bedtime is well known to help make you become more tired when insomnia strikes, but what else is out there that can assist you when the stresses of the day overtake your mind? A leftover turkey sandwich may be a good choice, if you happen to have it in the fridge. Thanksgiving meals are always finished off with a great nap time afterward. Tryptophan is an amino acid that begins to help the body slow down and relax brain cycles (neurotransmitters).

Tryptophan is a predecessor to the sleep activating substances serotonin and melatonin. The more tryptophan is made available to the brain, the more likely the sleep cycle will initiate. Calcium is one of the best foods to help the brain absorb tryptophan for the manufacturing of melatonin. This is one of the reasons dairy foods (warm milk) is a popular candidate to help your late night effort to fall asleep.

One of the keys to a restful sleep is to calm down prior to bedtime. Reading a book, listening to relaxing music and having something light before bedtime (no later than 9:00 PM) will help trigger the sleep cycle.

Some other foods with tryptophan you might consider for a good night sleep might be:

• Cottage Cheese, Milk, Yogurt or Ice Cream  
• Tofu or soy milk  
• Fish, Meats and Poultry  
• Lentils, Beans and/or Rice  
• Hummus or chickpeas  
• Peanuts, Soy nuts  
• Eggs and Toast (Whole Grain Bread)  

In conclusion, some foods do trigger a behavioral response, in this case sleepiness. If you have ever felt sleepy after a nice Thanksgiving meal, you'll notice that the sensation kicks in about an hour afterward. This is about how long tryptophan takes to be digested and begin to trigger the chemical reaction in the brain. When planning to consume your foods to sleep by, keep in mind that timing of this process. Try and consume the meal or snack at least 60 minutes beforehand, to take full advantage of the chemical process.

Are you searching for information on attaining a restful sleep for a healthier lifestyle?
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Owens