Why We Should Drink Milk Before Going to Bed
Milk is a great source of nutrients, it’s healthy for your bones, and it has even more benefits if you drink it before you go to sleep. For example, it can help you fall asleep faster, sleep soundly without waking up in the middle of the night, and even boost weight loss!
We at Bright Side think that drinking a delicious glass of milk before bed is a really easy way to make our lives a bit healthier, so we’ll definitely try it out!
Milk has compounds that can improve your sleep quality.
Several studies on people and animals have shown that drinking milk can lead to better sleep. Milk contains tryptophan and melatonin, which may help you fall asleep easier and faster. Tryptophan plays an important role in producing serotonin, which in turn boosts your mood, can help you relax, and also acts as a precursor for melatonin.
Melatonin helps regulate your circadian rhythm and prepares you for sleep. Research has shown that taking melatonin and tryptophan supplements can reduce anxiety and depression that might worsen around sleep time.
Milk is a great source of protein.
If you have dinner way too early before going to sleep, you might have problems sleeping all the way through the night. If you want to avoid waking up in the middle of the night because your stomach is growling with hunger, try drinking milk before bed.
There’s a psychological aspect to drinking milk before bed.
To a certain extent, drinking milk before bed can help you fall asleep because it becomes a nighttime ritual that helps you relax and prepare to go to bed. Another theory is that warm milk could remind you of drinking milk before bed as a child, which could bring back good memories and have a calming effect.
It can help you lose weight.
If you make drinking milk your ritual to help you fall asleep and it works, it can help you with weight loss. Poor sleep quality can cause you to put on extra pounds, so improving it could help you return to your normal weight. Because milk is also packed with nutritious protein, it’s a good substitute for late-night snacking, which could also cause you to gain weight.
It can increase lean muscle mass.
Milk contains proteins called casein and whey. Several studies have shown that consuming casein and whey protein in the evening can increase overnight muscle protein synthesis.
Disclaimer: Be aware, though, that you could be lactose-intolerant and not realize it. Some of the symptoms include bloating, gas, and cramps.
Do you drink milk before you go to bed? Do you prefer it cold or warm? Does it help you fall asleep?