The Best 8 Anti- Inflammatory Foods For Better Sleep

Many individuals have a hard time going to sleep and you may be one of them. For many stress, anxiety and other under lying conditions may be the reason your brain has a difficult time slowing down and actually falling asleep.

Neurodivergents naturally lack melatonin, dopamine and serotonin, making it more challenging to get to sleep. Our sleep impacts our mood regulation and overall wellbeing.

Try these 8 Anti-Inflammatory foods for a better night sleep.

1.Kiwi's- 2 whole kiwis hold the perfect amount of melatonin to help you fall asleep. How this works isn't fully understood, but kiwis are a source of serotonin which the body breaks down to melatonin. And researchers suggest the anti-inflammatory effects from kiwi's antioxidants play a role in improving sleep, too.

2.Pistachios- Thanks to their combination of protein, healthy fat, fiber, minerals and antioxidants, tree nuts are considered a great anti-inflammatory food to eat regularly. But pistachios might be the best choice if you're struggling with sleep.

This is because pistachios are one of the top sources of melatonin, the hormone in the body that helps to induce sleep. Research suggests increasing melatonin levels through food may make it easier to go to sleep and to sleep longer.

3.Salmon- Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential anti-inflammatory nutrient that may support quality sleep. Research in children suggests that higher intake of the omega-3 fatty acid known as DHA significantly improves sleep quality and reduces sleep disruptions, and adults would likely see similar effects.

DHA is primarily found in cold-water fish like salmon, so look for ways to get at least two servings of salmon or other higher-fat fish in a week.

4.Edamame- Edamame is a food that eases inflammation and may improve sleep. Several studies suggest that regularly eating soybeans results in significantly longer and better quality sleep, and these effects are attributed to anti-inflammatory compounds in soy known as isoflavones. Shelled and toasted edamame are readily available, but you can also get these benefits by eating other soy-based foods like tofu.

5.Decaffinated Green Tea- Green tea leaves contain powerful anti-inflammatory compounds known as catechins, along with the amino acid theanine. This particular amino acid reduces stress and promotes sleep by having a calming effect on neurons and reducing stress-related chemicals in the brain.

Sipping on a cup of tea each night with these effects may help some go to sleep a little easier—just make sure you get a decaffeinated variety to drink before bed.

6.Oatmeal-Eating carbohydrate-rich foods triggers the production of serotonin, a chemical that causes drowsiness and may make it easier to fall asleep. But make sure to get that serotonin-boost from a higher-fiber, complex-carb foods like oats to keep blood sugar in check to prevent hunger pangs from waking you a few hours later.

Plus, oats are a source of melatonin and may promote production of GABA, a neurotransmitter that has a calming effect on the brain.

7.Almonds-Magnesium promotes the production of GABA, a neurotransmitter than decreases brain and nervous system activity, which helps the body and mind to relax. Not to mention, many people don't meet their daily magnesium needs.

Some insomnia sufferers have had significant sleep improvements by getting in more magnesium-rich foods, and almonds are the best source (a 1-oz serving provides approximately 25% of daily needs), along with being a top anti-inflammatory food.

8.Tart Cherry Juice-Similar to berries, cherries are packed with polyphenol compounds like anthocyanins, all of which work to reduce inflammation by stopping potential damage by free radicals. And research suggests that consuming one cup of tart cherry juice each day significantly improves sleep duration and quality.

The mechanism behind this isn't fully understood, but cherries do appear to increase melatonin levels. There's also thought that the powerful antioxidants in cherries may stop inflammatory cytokines that disrupt sleep