Eating bananas at night before going to bed: Good or bad?

Bananas are a familiar fruit, easy to find, cheap and have many health benefits.

In particular, bananas can also aid sleep thanks to containing many important nutrients that help the body relax and regulate sleep hormones, according to the health website Verywell Health .

Mr. Sohaib Imtiaz, a nutritionist working in the US, has pointed out the specific benefits of eating bananas before going to bed.

Supports sleep hormone production

Bananas contain tryptophan, which helps the body synthesize the hormones serotonin and melatonin.

Serotonin helps calm the mind and create a feeling of relaxation.

Melatonin plays a role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle, helping users fall asleep easily and maintain deep sleep.

Bananas at the golden ripe stage contain the highest amount of tryptophan, while dark ripe bananas (nearly brown) are rich in melatonin.

Many benefits of eating bananas before bed

Photo: AI

Helps relax muscles

In addition to tryptophan, bananas also contain magnesium. Magnesium helps relax muscles and nerves and also contributes to melatonin production.

People who are deficient in magnesium may have difficulty sleeping, so eating a banana before bed can help the body relax.

Reduce night cramps

Bananas are a great source of potassium, an electrolyte that helps prevent muscle cramps while you sleep.

At the same time, this mineral also helps soothe the body, supporting a more complete sleep.

Help the body fall asleep

A medium banana contains about 27 grams of carbohydrates. Eating carbs at night can help tryptophan travel more easily to the brain.

As tryptophan levels increase, so does the production of serotonin and melatonin, which helps you fall asleep more easily.

Bananas help you stay full longer

The fiber in bananas can help keep you from waking up hungry at night. The average banana provides about 3 grams of fiber. Green (unripe) bananas contain the most fiber. As bananas ripen, some of the fiber is converted to sugar.

Supports sleep hormone production

Bananas are a source of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which helps the body produce serotonin and melatonin in the brain. This contributes to naturally improving sleep quality.

Although eating bananas before bed can be beneficial for sleep, it is best to eat them 1 to 2 hours before bedtime.

This period of time helps the body digest bananas and absorb necessary nutrients optimally.

However, to have truly quality sleep, it is necessary to combine a regular lifestyle and a reasonable resting environment.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/an-chuoi-buoi-toi-truoc-khi-di-ngu-loi-hay-hai-185250722003204039.htm