They’re one of the world’s favourite fruits due to their sweet taste, but pomegranates are special for other reasons too. Eating pomegranate before bed could actually help you sleep, protect you from disease and boost your immune system. We explain how, next.
Disclaimer: You must always consult your doctor before including a new supplement or food into your daily routine as only your doctor can explain any pros or cons that are specific to you. Some supplements & foods may interfere with medications and/or cause allergic reactions.
Pomegranate Before Bed: The Surprising Sleep Aid
Evidence exists that pomegranates have been cultivated by humans since 5000 BC! However it’s not the history of this fruit that makes it so interesting. Rather it’s the fact that pomegranates are actually a natural sleep aid.
That’s because eating pomegranate before bed can directly help you sleep due to the presence of melatonin in pomegranate. This hormone regulates the sleep-wake cycle and is so important to our sleep health that often individuals who are struggling to sleep – or have been diagnosed with insomnia – are prescribed melatonin.
The fact pomegranates are a natural source of the sleep hormone melatonin means this remarkable fruit could act as a sleep aid for individuals suffering with insomnia.
That’s not all. Pomegranates are also a rich source of folate – known as Vitamin B9. This essential vitamin tends to be low in individuals that suffer from insomnia and sleep disorders, so topping up folate levels by eating pomegranates could directly help sleep quality.
It doesn’t end there either. Pomegranates is a source of magnesium. Why’s that notable? Well supplementing with magnesium has been shown to help relieve symptoms of insomnia and improve sleep efficiency, sleep time and sleep onset. It’s also been shown to reduce anxiety – one of the leading causes of insomnia.
Eating pomegranates before bed could help sleep quality and onset due to the presence of melatonin, as well as magnesium and folate. All of which have been shown to have a positive effect on sleep.
Eating Pomegranates: What Are the Health Benefits?
This remarkable fruit is also an anti-inflammatory, and is loaded with antioxidants. Both are crucial to keeping your health in check, and can even reverse damage done to your body.
The anti-inflammatory nature of pomegranate has been studied before, and is important to note as many major diseases like heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and Alzheimer’s are often linked to chronic inflammation. Therefore incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into your diet – like pomegranate or walnuts – is a no-brainer.
Pomegranate is also a great source of antioxidants. That’s important as antioxidants appear to have a direct effect on sleep quality, as they support the immune system and help promote restfulness at night.
Antioxidant foods also help protect your body and can even reverse damage that has been done by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress comes about when there’s an imbalance between free radical molecules (which can cause harm) and antioxidants – that imbalance then causes illness and tissue damage. The result can be the development of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease and many others. Therefore eating antioxidant foods – like pomegranate or grapes – should be a priority.
The science has been backed up too. Pomegranates have been seen to reduce gut inflammation, potentially prevent arthritis, could help fight Alzheimer’s, and could even prevent cancer growth.
Pomegranate has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. Because of that, several studies have shown pomegranate to have a positive effect on health, potentially protect against disease, and boost the immune system.
Pomegranate before Bed and Overall Health: Incorporating It Into Your Diet
Pomegranates can be found in shops and supermarkets around the world. They are delicious and can be eaten in their natural form, and so are easy to incorporate into your diet.
There are many different ways to incorporate pomegranate into your diet too. You can use them as a topping for yoghurt, as part of a fruit salad, in a salsa, or just as they are!
What About Side Effects?
If you don’t have a pomegranate allergy then moderate consumption of pomegranate shouldn’t cause any side effects. However eating pomegranates in excess could lead to side effects like bloating, gas, and diarrhoea.
As always, we recommend consulting with your doctor if undertaking a diet change, or if you have concerns about how a specific food may interact with any preexisting conditions or medicines.
Final Words
Incorporating pomegranates into your diet, especially before bed, can offer a range of health benefits. From aiding sleep with its melatonin content to providing essential nutrients like folate and magnesium, pomegranates have the potential to improve sleep quality and overall well-being. Moreover, their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties contribute to disease prevention and immune system support. While pomegranates offer numerous advantages, it’s essential to consume them in moderation and consult your doctor before making significant dietary changes.
