Dr Tim Mercer, an NHS GP Partner and GP Trainer, has shared six Christmas dinner staples that could “help you get a better night’s sleep”.
The doctor took to TikTok to reveal the foods that could lead to a blissful sleep on Christmas Day. He said: “Christmas is time for delicious indulgence for many people.”
Dr Mercer listed his six favourite food items “guaranteed to help your sleep.” First up was turkey, represented by robin statuettes as he and his family are vegetarians.
He explained: “Turkey contains lots of tryptophan, a chemical that’s important in the generation of serotonin. Enjoying turkey as part of your festive indulgence can lead to relaxation and a better night’s sleep.”
For those seeking vegetarian and vegan options, Dr Mercer suggested several nuts and berries that could induce a similar sleepy feeling.
He added: “Second on the list are almonds. Almonds are a great source of magnesium and also part of most people’s Christmas nut selection. Magnesium has been helped to show people sleep and almonds are a very low glycaemic index food which means they keep releasing sugar slowly through the night, keeping your brain fuelled.”
Walnuts, too, come highly recommended as one of the six slumber-inducing festive foods, with Dr Mercer noting they are a “natural source of tryptophan,” an amino acid also found in turkey. He pointed out: “Walnuts also contain a high volume of Omega 3 compounds, thought to contribute to brain development, which is an important function of sleep.”
Cherries have made the list as well, hailed by the GP Partner as “delicious” and “one of the richest, natural sources of melatonin.” The fifth food item suggested was cranberries – they don’t have as much melatonin as cherries but still contribute to its intake.
And for those who fancy a sweet delight post-dinner, hot chocolate also makes the cut. To aid quicker snoozing, the doctor suggests opting for a “lower sugar and caffeine free” variant of hot chocolate.
It’s believed that warm beverages may prolong your sleep by 11 minutes and minimise interruptions during the night.