What to eat when you can't sleep? Red dates, lotus seeds & 6 foods for a good night's sleep

▲Still awake at midnight? Try tackling it through your diet!(Photo / File photo)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

It’s already the hottest period of summer — the dog days. Many people experience insomnia or waking up in the middle of the night due to the heat. In fact, getting quality sleep is crucial for your health. Poor sleep may lead to mood swings, slow reactions, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. RecentlyChina’s Phoenix Newscompiled a list of six types of food that can help you sleep soundly through the night — including vinegar, apples, and lotus root — allowing you to drift off without relying on medication.

1. Vinegar:

Some people who have traveled long distances or are overly fatigued may find it hard to sleep at night. Try mixing one tablespoon of vinegar into a glass of cold or warm water and sipping it slowly. After drinking, sit quietly with your eyes closed, and you’ll likely fall asleep before long.

2. Fresh fruit:

Fruits are rich in tryptophan, which can increase its levels in the brain after consumption. Tryptophan can be converted into serotonin, which is very helpful in improving depression-related insomnia. Bananas and apples, for example, are rich in this hormone, so they’re good to eat when you're having trouble sleeping. Dr. Zhuang Kaidi said: “Eating more fresh fruit can improve insomnia and depressive symptoms, but for severe cases, medication is still necessary. Diet therapy should only be used for general health maintenance.”

3. Fresh lotus root:

Lotus root is rich in calcium, phosphorus, iron, and various vitamins, which can help with insomnia caused by blood deficiency. The cooking method is simple: just take fresh lotus root, simmer it over low heat until soft, slice it, and add an appropriate amount of honey. Alternatively, eating lotus root powder can also alleviate insomnia.

4. Sunflower seeds:

Sunflower seeds contain a variety of amino acids and vitamins that can regulate metabolism, improve the inhibitory function of brain cells, and have a calming effect. Eating some sunflower seeds after dinner can also promote the secretion of digestive fluids, aiding digestion and helping you sleep.

5. Lotus seeds:

In recent years, biologists have confirmed through experiments that compounds in lotus seeds such as lotusine and aromatic glycosides have sedative effects. Consuming them can stimulate the pancreas to secrete insulin, which aids sleep. You can cook lotus seeds with lily bulbs, millet, or longan into a porridge, which can effectively relieve insomnia.

6. Red dates:

Red dates are warm in nature, sweet in taste, red in color, and moist in flesh. They have the effects of nourishing all five organs, benefiting the spleen and stomach, enriching the blood, and calming the nerves. They are particularly effective for frequent dreaming, insomnia, and mental confusion caused by qi and blood deficiency.