The Fruit Bowl Secret to Better Sleep
Having trouble sleeping? The answer might be in your daily diet.
A groundbreaking new study reveals that a common vitamin, long known for fighting colds and supporting immune health, could also help you get better sleep.
And the best part is that you don’t need to look any further than your fruit bowl to get started…
Researchers analyzed data from over 68,000 people in the UK and found that those who had more vitamin C in their diet had a significantly lower risk of sleep disorders, especially sleep apnea.
The benefits were particularly noticeable in men and those with high blood pressure. And the sweet spot appears to be between 125-200 milligrams of vitamin C daily.
But how does vitamin C help with sleep?
Scientists believe it works through its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
See, when we sleep, our bodies work to restore balance and remove harmful free radicals. Vitamin C supports this natural process, potentially leading to better sleep quality.
Fortunately, vitamin C is abundant in many delicious foods:
- Oranges and orange juice (1 medium orange = 70mg)
- Strawberries (1 cup = 85mg)
- Kiwi fruit (1 medium = 64mg)
- Grapefruit (½ fruit = 44mg)
- Papaya (1 cup = 88mg)
- Red bell peppers (1 pepper = 95mg)
- Broccoli (1 cup cooked = 81mg)
- Brussels sprouts (1 cup cooked = 97mg)
Remember that vitamin C is sensitive to heat and can be destroyed during cooking. To maximize your intake, eat more raw fruits and vegetables and steam vegetables instead of boiling them.
Keep in mind that this wasn’t a cause-and-effect type study. It was designed to reveal significant connections.
Also, it’s important to note that better sleep involves multiple factors, including regular exercise, consistent sleep schedules, stress management, and daily exposure to morning sunlight.
Vitamin C appears to be one piece of the puzzle, but it’s not a magic solution.
P.S. From groggy to great with THIS sleep mineral secret.
Source:
Zhang, Q., Qi, X., Wang, Z., Zhang, D., & Wang, T. The Association Between Dietary Vitamin C and Sleep Disorders: A Cohort Study Based on UK Biobank. Nutrients, 16(21), 3661.
