Can a spoonful of peanut butter help you sleep? US physician Dr Kunal Sood explains trick to staying asleep all night

Feeling restless or waking up at midnight? A spoonful of peanut butter two hours before bed might help, according to Dr Kunal Sood. Know three major benefits.

If restless nights and soaring stress levels keep you tossing and turning, the secret to a better night’s sleep might already be sitting in your kitchen. In a recent video, a content creator suggested that consuming a spoonful of peanut butter before bed can work wonders for anxious sleepers.

The science behind the claim

Responding to the video, Dr Sood said: “Why would peanut butter before bed help you fall asleep? There are a couple of reasons.” According to him, the popular spread packs a triple-threat of nutrients that promote rest and stabilisation:

⦿ Tryptophan: “Peanut butter contains tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin, which can have a calming effect on your brain,” Dr Sood explained.

⦿ Healthy fats: The spread is rich in essential fats that play a crucial role in preventing midnight awakenings. “It is also high in healthy fats, which can help stabilise your blood sugar,” Dr Sood highlighted, noting that 'it does this by slowing carbohydrate absorption'. He pointed out, "The reason you wake up at night sometimes is a sudden spike and crash of your blood sugar.”

⦿ Magnesium: “And lastly, peanut butter also contains magnesium, which has been shown to relax you and improve your sleep quality,” he shared.

Timing and mindful consumption

While the nutrient breakdown offers promising benefits for anxiety relief and deeper sleep, Dr Sood cautioned that individual results will vary: “It is worth noting that while peanut butter may help some people sleep, it is not for everyone."

For those looking to try the dietary habit, timing is key to avoiding digestive discomfort overnight, as Dr Sood advised in his caption: “Have you tried this? If you are going to eat prior to bed, it is recommended to eat two hours prior.”

Whether you are looking to calm nighttime anxiety or smooth out blood sugar crashes, a small, well-timed dose of peanut butter might just be the simple, accessible hack your sleep routine needs.

About the expert

Dr Kunal Sood, MD, is a double board-certified physician in anesthesiology and interventional pain medicine. He did his residency and fellowship in anesthesiology at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, followed by a one-year fellowship in interventional pain medicine. He later became the medical director of the office in Germantown, Maryland.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

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