Besides being a delicious bedtime snack, the Night Cookie is also a powerful sleep aid.
From ashwagandha to magnesium, here is how each of the 7 sleep-inducing ingredients in the Night Cookie help you to fall asleep faster and improve your sleep quality.
1. Tart Cherries Contain Melatonin - The Sleepy Hormone.
Tart cherries are a natural source of melatonin, which is a hormone that helps regulate your body's sleep-wake cycle.
Here is how melatonin works:
- When it becomes dark, the brain responds by producing more melatonin.
- Melatonin affects receptors in your body which makes you feel sleepy.
- That's why when levels of melatonin are low at night, it can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep.
To learn more about how important melatonin is for your sleep, head to our blog on What Is Melatonin and Why Do We Need It?
In addition to melatonin, tart cherries are unique in that they also contain anthocyanins which are powerful antioxidants that have been shown to improve sleep quality!
2. Struggling With RLS? Vitamin C Can Help.
You're just about to drift off when suddenly your legs start kicking and twitching, making it impossible to stay still. It's irritating, annoying and can make getting a good night's rest seem impossible.
Restless leg syndrome, or RLS, is a condition that affects the nervous system and causes an irresistible urge to move your legs.
So what contributes to RLS? According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, lack of iron is one of the main reasons for RLS.
Vitamin C can help to improve iron absorption, therefore it can help to reduce the symptoms of RLS such as the tingling sensation and the constant urge to move.
Vitamin C has also been shown to relieve sleep apnea by enhancing the functioning of blood vessels!
3. Fall Asleep Faster With Chamomile.
Chamomile has long been associated with sleep and relaxation and for good reason. Numerous studies have shown that chamomile can be effective in treating insomnia and improving sleep quality.
How does it work?
- The active ingredient in chamomile is an antioxidant called apigenin.
- Apigenin then binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain.
- This has a calming effect which in turn can make you feel sleepy.
Because of this, when chamomile is consumed before bedtime, it can help you to fall asleep more quickly and experience fewer interruptions during the night.
4. Magnesium: The Super Mineral That Keeps Your Sleep-Wake Cycle On Track.
Magnesium plays a crucial role in our body's sleep-wake cycle. It does this by regulating the body's circadian rhythm (also known as your body's 24-hour internal clock) which oversees our sleep-wake cycle.
It does this by helping to control the release of melatonin! Learn more about your circadian rhythm in our blog on What Is The Circadian Rhythm? (And How It Impacts Your Sleep)
One of its other main functions is to regulate the neurotransmitter GABA which promotes relaxation.
In fact, research shows that magnesium deficiency can lead to insomnia, so increasing your magnesium intake can improve your sleep quality!
5. Relax Before Bed With Ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha has been used for centuries to improve sleep. The roots and leaves of the plant contain a compound called withanolides that contains mild sedative properties.
This herb belongs to the family of adaptogens - plants and mushrooms that improve your body's response to stress and anxiety - so it helps to decrease your stress levels.
How does this relate to your sleep quality? Stress is the no.1 reason people across the US and UK struggle to sleep, so by reducing your anxiety levels, you’re also supporting restorative sleep.
6. Vitamin B6 Can Help You Stay Energised All Day and Sleep Better at Night.
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a role in many of the body's biochemical processes, including the synthesis of melatonin - remember the hormone that helps to regulate our sleep?
Vitamin B6 is also essential for the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate our sleep-wake cycle.
Serotonin levels are highest during the daytime, when we're awake and active, and lowest at night, when we're preparing for sleep. By boosting serotonin levels, Vitamin B6 can help us to stay awake during the day and feel sleepy at night.
7. Do You Suffer From Poor Sleep Quality? Oat Straw Might Be the Answer.
Oat straw is thought to improve sleep by helping to relax the nervous system and reduce stress levels and resolve sleeplessness.
In addition to magniuesm, oat straw also contains calcium, a mineral that is essential for adults to get a good night's sleep. This is because calcium helps the body use the amino acid tryptophan to make melatonin.
In fact, research has found that calcium is associated with fewer problems falling asleep and staying asleep!
A Good Night's Sleep Is Just A Bite Away!
Ready to get a better night’s sleep? Now that you know all about the Night Cookie and its sleep-inducing ingredients, it’s time to try it for yourself!
With seven sleep-inducing ingredients, this cookie is your new bedtime best friend. Not only will you be satisfying your sweet tooth, but you’ll also be getting a blend of the best ingredients for a deep, restful sleep.
