The 7 best drinks to sleep well tonight

Do you regularly have trouble sleeping? Are you agitated, stressed or do you perhaps have trouble digesting your dinner? Do you have trouble sleeping during hot summers? Here are the 11 best drinks to drink in the evening to cool down and fall asleep easily.

Roles of yoga, meditation, magnesium, sleeping naked, lavender or putting tons of blankets on top of your exhausted body … All insomniacs use such small remedies in order to somehow get a restful sleep. Your grandmother recommended herbal teas? Follow her tips and test one of those drinks that will relax you and help you fall asleep more easily.

A glass of cherry juice

Here, all varieties of cherries are concerned. This fruit is a natural source of melatonin, the sleep hormone, which helps regulate our internal clock. The color pigments that make up the cherry also play a role. Called proanthocyanidins, they will help increase the availability of tryptophan, an essential amino acid and a precursor to serotonin that helps sleep.

Also, for best results, it is recommended to drink at least two glasses a day (one in the morning and one in the evening).

An infusion with valerian

Calming and relaxing, valerian is perfect for mild sleep disorders, especially if they are caused by too much nervousness. The so-called “catnip” also concentrates all its therapeutic strength in its brown and fragrant roots, containing the anxiolytic valerenic acid and hypnotic flavonoids. Calming, sedative and relaxing for the muscles, these components are anti-stress allies.

Being a fairly powerful plant, it is recommended to consume it mixed with other herbal teas such as lemon balm or chamomile.

A tea with chamomile

Consumed for centuries at bedtime, chamomile is now recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an active ingredient to relieve nervous agitation and minor insomnia. The sedative effects of this plant are generally attributed to apigenin (a chemical compound of the flavone family), which significantly affects sleep. So we go on a good herbal tea with chamomile!

A glass of milk

Grandmother’s remedy par excellence, milk is one of our best allies to lull us to sleep. Its relaxing effect is linked to tryptophan, an amino acid that is used in the production of serotonin, a hormone that makes it easier to fall asleep and prevents early awakening.

A glass of almond milk

Just like cow’s milk, almond milk is especially beneficial for our sleep. In cause, its high concentration of calcium (which is perfect for relaxing) and magnesium (which is an anti-stress). Combined, these two components will allow the body to relax, for a better sleep.

A smoothie with banana

It was already known that eating up to three bananas a day could lower blood pressure, promote good digestion or make us happier. Also, bananas play an important role in our sleep! Like cherry, banana is rich in melatonin, the famous sleep hormone, which is, therefore, an excellent sleep stimulant.

A spoonful of honey

Again, we draw in our  grandmother’s recipes! Honey can be a good option when you have insomnia. But how do we drink it? We can add it to everything! With a glass of milk for example. Or eat it naturally but in small doses. A soup table spoon for the most greedy is enough.

But why is it so good? It should be known that honey also promotes the production of melatonin. And that’s not all ! Its consumption also reduces stress thanks to its content of some elements such as potassium, calcium or manganese.

Ginger tea with lemon

Ginger and lemon are known for stimulating one’s metabolism. So why don’t we combine them? A good ginger herbal tea with lemon before going to sleep will not only boost your metabolism, but also boost your immune system! Just add a few slices of ginger, squeeze a lemon into a cup of hot water and let it steep for a good 15 minutes. If it is too bitter for you, you can add some honey.

Grape juice

Yes, you read that right. Grape juice can help you get rid of a few extra pounds faster. Everything is a question of quantity of course because the fruits contain a lot of sugar. A small glass of pure grape juice (about 150 ml) before going to bed will stimulate the fat burning process. Why ? A study by the International Journal of Obesity found that resveratrol, a potent antioxidant in grapes, was responsible for it. It will indeed turn white fat into brown fat that has the particularity of burning calories. And at the same time, it will help you fall asleep fast.

Peppermint herbal tea

A dinner too heavy and too rich can delay falling asleep. Indeed, the extended position slows the transit, promotes the secretion of stomach acid, which sometimes can cause heartburn. In this case, an infusion of peppermint can save you from this hearty dinner you had with your friends. With a very strong aroma, peppermint is known to aid digestion and relieve intestinal spasms. Make an infusion of 3 g of dried peppermint in 200 ml after the meal and spend your night with a lighter stomach.

This concerns especially those who tend to eat meals that are too rich or those who have digestive problems.

Soy milk

A protein shake with soy milk in the evening is a great idea! Soymilk is (like cow’s milk) very rich in tryptophan, and this amino acid will reduce the level of cortisol (therefore the level of stress) in the blood which will relax you. A high level of cortisol is also often linked to fat storage in the abdominal belt. But this recipe is also rich in vegetable protein and therefore ideal for vegan people.