Deep dive into the Benefits of NIGHT’s Ingredients and how they may aid your sleep.
If you’re eating well and working out, but aren’t getting in enough good quality sleep, you may be undermining all your other efforts.
A poor night’s sleep can result in you feeling far from fresh, low in mood, poor energy levels and a lack of overall productivity.
MEDAHUMAN’s NIGHT drink may be just what you need to help drift you off into the perfect night’s slumber – with only 25 calories per can, no nasties, and all natural sleep promoting ingredients, this could be the perfect calming antidote that you’re missing to help contribute to a five star sleep.
Read on to discover more as Nutritionist Clarissa Lenherr delves into each ingredient…
CHERRIES
Not only are cherries delicious, they are one of nature’s best sleep aids! This is thanks to the fact that tart cherries are one of natures only natural sources of melatonin – the hormone responsible for sleep! Melatonin is a potent antioxidant produced naturally by the body to regulate biorhythm and natural sleep patterns. (1)
The tryptophan content in cherries also contributes to their sleep inducing effects. Tryptophan is an amino acid that is needed to produce melatonin (2). One study found that consuming cherry-based products daily improved nightly rest, decreased the number of nighttime awakenings, resulting in higher urinary melatonin levels the next morning. (3)
MAGNESIUM
There are very few nutrients that offer as many benefits as magnesium does…this magic mineral is involved in over 600 bodily reactions! Benefits range from energy production, gene maintenance, regulation of the nervous system, stress support and muscle relaxation. (4) Magnesium also has an impact on the processes that help to promote sleep, with low levels of magnesium linked to troubled sleep and insomnia. (5)
One study found that having optimal levels of magnesium in the body is required for consistent sleep, with sufficient magnesium levels also being required to help individuals reach a deep and restful night’s sleep. (6)
One 2012 study published by the National Institute of Health reported that magnesium can improve symptoms of insomnia (7). Age dependant, women should aim for 310-320 milligrams daily, with men aiming for 400-420 milligrams. (8)
VALERIAN ROOT
Valerian root is a herb native to Asia and Europe. It is now grown worldwide, with many people relying on it to help promote sleep and reduce anxiety. Also known as “nature’s valium”, valerian root is a herb that has been used since ancient times to help improve overall tranquillity. It includes a number of compounds such as valerenic acid, isovaleric acid and numerous antioxidants to help to promote overall sleep.
Research has shown that taking valerian root may help to reduce the amount of time it takes to drift off, whilst also improving sleep quantity. (9)
Studies have shown success rates when valerian interacts with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the chemical messenger that helps regulate nerve impulses in the brain and nervous system. Researchers have found that low GABA levels related to acute and chronic stress are linked to anxiety and poor-quality sleep. (10)
The National Institute of Health (NIH) undertook a clinical trial in which 121 people with insomnia took 600mg of valerian root and had decreased symptoms of insomnia compared to the placebo after 28 days of treatment. (11)
MEDA’s NIGHT contains valerian root extract, which will aid with drifting off into a perfect night’s sleep due to its calming effect.
VITAMIN D3
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that helps to promote bone health, energy production and mood – to name a few.
Numerous studies have shown the link between vitamin D levels and different measures of sleep. Low blood levels of vitamin D have been associated with decreased sleep efficiency, increased daytime sleepiness and decreased sleep time. (12) This demonstrates that upping your levels of Vitamin D, even by a small amount, could help to improve your sleep.
Vitamin D is best taken as a supplement or by being outside in the natural sunlight. Good food sources include fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel, egg yolks and fortified milks. And of course, sipping on MEDA HUMANS Night time beverage.
CBD
CBD, as found in MEDA HUMANS Night beverage, may contribute to a calmer, more restful night of sleep, thank to its potential to help reduce anxiety and stress levels.
Studies have suggested that the interaction of CBD with serotonin receptors in the brain may reduce anxiety levels (13), whilst a 2019 CBD sleep study reported that 79.2% of the patients they tested felt less anxious and 66.7% reported better sleep after supplementing with CBD (14).
*Always check in with your healthcare provider before taking any supplements or herbs
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4273450/ (1)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22553424/ (2)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5617749/ (3)
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physrev.00012.2014 (4)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23969766/ (5)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11777170/ (6)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23853635/ (7)
https://openheart.bmj.com/content/5/1/e000668 (8)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3936097/ (9)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20634372/ (10)
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Valerian-HealthProfessional/ (11)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25581929/ (12)