Sleep loss is a common complaint in the UK, with one in three people struggling to get enough shut eye. It is well known that sleep deprivation can affect a persons mood and impair their concentration at work. It can also put a person at risk of serious medical conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. Fortunately, simple lifestyle tweaks can help to correct the problem - studies support eating a certain fruit before bedtime.
According to research conducted by the School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, kiwis may boast sleep-inducing properties.
In a four-week study, 24 adults consumed two kiwifruits one hour before going to bed each night. At the end of the study, participants fell asleep 42 per cent more quickly than when they didnt eat anything before bedtime.
Additionally, their ability to sleep through the night without waking improved by five per cent, while their total sleep time increased by 13 percent.
The study researchers point out that the magic ingredient in kiwis is thought to be serotonin - a brain chemical that helps regulate the sleep/wake cycle.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, the magic number is two servings before bedtime.
The health body explained: If you have insomnia, eating two kiwis before bed can increase your sleep duration by an hour over the course of a month.
It also recommends eating other fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants such as berries, prunes, raisins, and plums as they may have a similar effect by helping to counteract the oxidative stress caused by a sleep disorder.
According to the NHS, other self-help tips to aid sleep loss include getting into a regular sleeping pattern. This programmes the brain and internal body clock to get used to a set routine, explained the health site.
The NHS recommends most adults get between six and nine hours of sleep every night. By working out what time you need to wake up, you can set a regular bedtime schedule, noted the health body.
Winding down also plays a pivotal role in promoting sleep.
The health body recommends trying the following activities to relax:
If you need more ideas, you can get help and advice from your GP, advise the health site.
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How to sleep: Eat this fruit before bedtime to get a good nights sleep - Express
