Sleep is one of the most essential parts of our daily lives. A good night’s sleep is critical to our health, giving our bodies time to rest, repair and rebuild. A lack of sleep can impact not just your mood, but also your motor skills, exercise performance and immune system.
But even though sleep is so important, many of us seem willing to do a lot that counteracts our ability to catch some quality ZZZs. “Sleep has become a cultural sacrificial lamb,” says wellness expert Michael Roizen, MD. “We’d rather work late, binge TV or stalk social media. Our bodies just cannot shut down, or health problems make it hard to fall or stay asleep.”
What may surprise you, though, is how much food factors into getting decent sleep. “Food relates directly to serotonin, a key hormone that — along with vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid — helps promote healthy sleep,” says dietitian Kristin Kirkpatrick, RD.
It’s important to understand how poor sleep affects your health — and how a good diet can help.
