Pumpkin – a popular fruit eaten and used for Halloween decoration – is rich in certain minerals, making it “good” for sleep .
There can be many factors that contribute to sleep problems. Often they can be psychological with stress and anxiety, the two main causes of insomnia. Our diet can also play a role. Eating pumpkin can be extremely helpful if you are struggling to sleep.
“Many studies have examined the relationship between diet and sleep. Pumpkin contains high amounts of the amino acid tryptophan and is also rich in minerals, magnesium and zinc. Eating pumpkin can be good for sleep for several reasons,” says dietitian Vasilisa Ponomareva especially for MedicForum.
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is important for sleep because it is a precursor to serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin is a brain neurotransmitter that plays an integral role in sleep induction and is associated with feelings of lethargy and sleepiness. Melatonin is the main sleep hormone that is produced in the pineal gland when daylight sets in.
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Magnesium
Pumpkin also rich in magnesium. Various studies have shown that magnesium supplements can improve sleep.
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“For example, in a group of older people with insomnia, those who took magnesium experienced significant improvements in sleep duration, sleep quality, and delayed sleep onset.”
Zinc
Pumpkins also contain a large amount of zinc. People who suffer from insomnia have been found to have lower levels of zinc than those who don't.
Medicalforum has previously written about the benefits of almonds. class=”warning_txt”>Important! This information is provided for reference only. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult a doctor.