There’s nothing more frustrating than lying awake at night, desperate for sleep, especially when you have an early start the next day. Insomnia is a common issue, with NHS Inform suggesting it affects around one in three people in the UK.
Those who suffer from this condition find it difficult to fall asleep, stay awake at night or wake up multiple times during the night – and it can begin to impact your daily life. There are numerous strategies you can employ to make falling asleep easier, such as avoiding alcohol or caffeine later in the day, ensuring minimal noise and managing stress and anxiety levels.
However, a doctor has suggested that consuming a spoonful of peanut butter two hours before bedtime could aid relaxation and promote faster sleep. Dr Kunal Sood, a US-based doctor specialising in treating acute and chronic pain, came across a TikTok video claiming that eating a spoonful of peanut butter before bed helps “drop your cortisol levels”, thereby aiding sleep.
Rather than dismissing the claim, Dr Sood confirmed there is some truth to it. He explained: “There are a couple of reasons. Peanut butter contains tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin, which can have a calming effect on your brain”.
The doctor shared that it’s “high in healthy fats”, which are good for “stabilising your blood sugar” by “slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates”. Dr Sood pointed out that the reason some people wake up at night could be due to a “sudden spike and crash” in blood sugar levels.
Peanut butter also contains magnesium, which “has been shown to also relax you and improve your sleep quality”. However, Dr Sood did say that while peanut butter may help some people fall asleep faster, it is “not for everyone”, including those with allergies.
Peanut butter contains a lot of calories per serving. According to Healthline, two tablespoons (32 grams) contains 204 calories and 16 grams f fat. It’s great to include in a balanced diet, but large amounts might increase your daily calorie intake. If unsure, you should speak to your GP.
And if you do decide to try it, Dr Sood recommends eating it two hours before going to bed.
If changing your sleep habits hasn’t helped your insomnia, you’ve had trouble for months and find it affects your daily life, you should speak to your GP.