Can't Sleep Due To Summer Heat? Expert Says Plant-Based Diets Can Help; Details Inside

Having trouble sleeping during summers? That may be due to your diet. Because when temperatures rise, what you eat can rather dramatically determine your sleep quality, as per our lifestyle coach. Here's more on this.
Summer sleep

Are you having trouble sleeping during the hot summer months? That may not be due to your bedroom surroundings but also your diet. Because what you eat can rather dramatically determine your sleep quality, especially when temperatures rise, says Ms. Nidhi Nahata, lifestyle coach and founder of vegan eatery restocafe JustBe.

Can't Sleep In Summer? Plant-Based Diets Can Help

Ms. Nahata observes that many people forget that eating rich, processed, and animal-based foods can overload your digestive system, causing pain and disturbing sleep patterns.

"These foods usually need more energy to digest, which raises metabolic activity and body temperature— an unpleasant mix during hot summer evenings," she notes.

Moving to a plant-based diet high in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes can help get better sleep, as per research by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. This betterment is attributed to the abundance of sleep-promoting nutrients discovered in plant-based sources and their high fibre content, Ms. Nahata adds.

Reasons Why Plant-based Diets Help One Sleep Better

Renowned plant-based nutrition proponent Dr. Michael Greger stresses how closely sleep and diet are connected. He points out that poor sleep is linked with many health problems and that food selections can greatly affect sleeping patterns. For example, eating two kiwifruits an hour before bedtime has been demonstrated to lengthen sleep duration and raise sleep quality without the side effects connected with sleeping pills.

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Plant-based diets contain particular ingredients that help one sleep better:

  • A precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin and melatonin, the amino acid Tryptophan helps to control sleep. Seeds, nuts, tofu, and whole grains contain the same.
  • Minerals, magnesium, and calcium help calm muscles and nerves, fostering a suitable mood for sleep. Good sources are fortified plant milks, almonds, and leafy greens.
  • Direct consumption of melatonin-rich foods such as cherries might help to control the sleep-wake cycle.

To maximize the sleep-promoting advantages of plant-based nutrition during hot temperatures, you can do the following:

  • Opt for Lighter Evening Meals. Choose salads, vegetable stir-fries, or grain-based dishes that are less demanding on the digestive system.
  • Include sleep-supporting snacks in the evening such as bananas with almond butter or a small bowl of oatmeal with cherries.
  • Stay hydrated. Chamomile or valerian root herbal teas are calming and help with sleep readiness.

"We help our body's natural rhythm by matching our diets with what nature provides and reducing the volume of processed and animal-based goods consumed. This strategy not just improves overall health and well-being but also helps sleep quality under the stifling summer heat," wraps up Ms. Nidhi Nahata.

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