{"id":2399,"date":"2021-07-27T16:05:21","date_gmt":"2021-07-27T20:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hamptonroadsent.com\/?p=2399"},"modified":"2021-07-27T16:05:24","modified_gmt":"2021-07-27T20:05:24","slug":"the-best-and-worst-beverages-to-drink-before-sleeping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hamptonroadsent.com\/the-best-and-worst-beverages-to-drink-before-sleeping\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best and Worst Beverages to Drink Before Sleeping"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There\u2019s nothing better than a good night\u2019s sleep<\/a>. To ensure you get the right amount of shut-eye, it\u2019s important to know what beverages can help you get to sleep and stay asleep and which ones to avoid. We provide an overview of this below.<\/p>\n\n\n

Best Drinks for Good Sleep<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Below are some of the best beverages you should drink before bed.<\/p>\n\n\n

Water<\/h3>\n\n\n

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/a> reports that plain water is the healthiest beverage any time of the day. Drinking water helps prevent dehydration, a condition that has been linked to poor sleep in a 2019 study<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

Chamomile Tea<\/h3>\n\n\n

Drinking chamomile tea to calm down and get to sleep isn\u2019t just an old wives\u2019 tale, it has been shown in numerous studies<\/a> to be conducive to a better night\u2019s sleep due to its soothing and warming effect.<\/p>\n\n\n

Tart Cherry Juice<\/h3>\n\n\n

Tart cherry juice from Health Trail Natural Foods<\/a> is another beverage with sleep-inducing properties. This is because tart cherries are rich in melatonin, the sleep hormone our bodies naturally produce. Data<\/a> shows that tart cherry juice has a positive effect on both sleep latency (how long it takes to fall asleep) and the ability to sleep through the night.<\/p>\n\n\n

Worst Drinks Before Bed<\/h2>\n\n\n

Below are some of the worst drinks you can have before bed in terms of their effect on your sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n

Coffee<\/h3>\n\n\n

Unsurprisingly, coffee is one of the worst beverages you can have before bed due to both the caffeine that keeps you awake and the diuretic effect that promotes urination. Even decaffeinated coffee can keep you up, as there still tends to be small amounts of caffeine. It\u2019s best to avoid coffee for at least eight hours before bed.<\/p>\n\n\n

Black & Green Tea<\/h3>\n\n\n

Like coffee, black and green teas both contain caffeine and are diuretics. Avoid these teas for four to six hours before bedtime.<\/p>\n\n\n

Soda<\/h3>\n\n\n

Most colas contain high levels of caffeine and sugar that cause sleep issues. Even clear sodas and those that are caffeine- and sugar-free should be avoided, as the carbonation can keep you awake. Avoid soda for three to four hours before bed if it has no caffeine and eight hours if it is caffeinated.<\/p>\n\n\n

Alcohol<\/h3>\n\n\n

This one may be surprising, as alcohol can make you feel drowsy. However, alcohol disrupts sleep patterns<\/a>, making it hard to fall into a deep sleep. Have no more than one drink before bed, and try to drink it at least four hours before bedtime. For more information about how to get a good night\u2019s sleep or to schedule an appointment with a sleep expert, call Hampton Roads ENT today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n