A good night’s sleep is something that continues to elude many people in the UK. It has always been a struggle for them to get the right amount of sleep to ensure their mind and body is up to the tasks the following day.

Official statistics say that in the UK, one in three people have sleep loss problems. Experts say the fast pace of modern living seems to be a major culprit in this problem.

The Dangers of Sleep Loss

There is more to sleep loss, however, than just being grouchy the next day. Aside from the loss of concentration, lack of sleep increases your risk of developing serious health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. All of these ailments decrease life expectancy, so it is crucial to get the right amount of sleep.

The Solution

cherries-best-drink to get good night's sleep
cherries-best-drink to get good night's sleep JillWellington - Pixabay

While having sleepless nights is a cause for grave concern, there are many solutions to address the problem. Some of these solutions are even surprisingly simple. For instance, making some changes in your diet can help restore your sleep cycle. Having a particular drink before bedtime has also been proven to help you sleep better.

A Potent Natural Sleep Enhancer

A study conducted last year found that putting barley grass powder in drinks can help bring back your normal sleep cycle. Moreover, barley grass power has also been found to help avoid many other health conditions.

Barley grass powder is derived from barley plant leaves. It is rich in many sleep-enhancing compounds such as tryptophan, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and GABA. According to the National Sleep Foundation, GABA or gamma-Aminobutyric acid is among the brain’s neurotransmitters and is responsible for slowing down your thought processes and making your drowsy. Compounds like zinc and magnesium affect GABA activity in the brain, making you fall asleep.

Drinks That Help

Aside from barley grass powder, researchers conclude that cherry juice is also an effective sleep enhancer. Tryptophan, an amino acid that cherry juice is abundant with, is the forerunner to melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

While all cherry varieties have been found to contain melatonin, the tart variety is the one researchers say have the best sleep-inducing capacity. In one study, researchers found that tart Montmorency cherries contain melatonin up to six times more than other varieties like sweet Balaton cherries.

Researchers say that taking least 480 ml of cherry juice each day for about 15 days has been found to increase overall sleep time by as much as 84 minutes. It has been known to help adults aged 50 years and over in their fight against insomnia.