Milk is a naturally found rich source of calcium, vitamin D and potassium, and it is of great importance to the human body. Warm milk before bed could help you to relax and make you sleep well. Calcium and vitamin D which are found in milk helps to build strong, healthy bones and teeth, and the potassium allows maintenance of healthy blood pressure. The immediate benefit of warm milk before bed is that it allows you to sleep like a baby by keeping your body relaxed and calm. This is not to say that by drinking a cup of milk you are sure to fall asleep, as it is not a sleep serum, but the reality is that there are some substances in your warm milk that is associated with improved rest. Warm milk before bed is therefore prescribed for those who have had a hard day, as it can induce sleep and also provide healthy benefits.
How does warm milk before bed affect your sleep?
A cup of delicious warm milk is not exactly a great idea for a perfect drink for most people, but it could be of great importance to you.
One cannot really say that there are scientific evidences which led to this conclusion, but milk contains amino acid called tryptophan and this metabolizes into serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin and melatonin are compounds which promote relaxation in the human body and could help a person sleep. But then again we are sorry to say that there is not enough tryptophan in your cup of warm milk for you to relax and sleep, and therefore much of the effect can be attributed to your psychology. Warm milk before bed may have a psychological effect on you, allowing you to relax and sleep. So, drinking warm milk before bed can fuzz your mind and you could hit the bed faster than you actually do.
An added advantage of drinking warm milk before bed
Now that we have established that drinking milk alone will not induce drowsiness in you, you can now have your glass of milk at any time of the day.
Now when you are drinking your glass of milk at the end of the day, you could add a carbohydrate rich food, as this would prove to be an effective way to end your day on a soothing note, and at the same time help you to get your 2 to 4 recommended daily servings of Milk and its other alternatives. You can reap maximum benefits of warm milk before bed by eating these foods along with your milk. This however, largely depends upon your age. Including milk and a healthy snack could be the ultimate health booster for you before you decide to hit the bed and sleep tight!
Here are some suggestions on healthy snacks that could compliment your milk.
• Include whole grain crackers and cheese along with your glass of milk
• Make yourself a glass of chocolate milk instead of your simple warm milk for taste and nutrition, and drink it along with apple slices
• Consume yogurt with fruit toppings along with a glass
• A banana with peanut butter could be a great idea with a glass of warm milk
• Add whole grain cereal with fresh fruits in your warm glass of milk
Among other things you should make sure to hit your bed at the same time every day and always sleep after drinking enough water. Make a healthy routine for yourself and you will never have to complain about not getting a good night’s sleep. So, is drinking warm milk good before bed? Well, yes, unless you are lactose intolerant!
Image Courtesy: Getty
