While we often think about nutrition and exercise when it comes to health, sleep plays an equally important role. And, the occurrence of some form of sleep disruption is fairly common in the US, with 50-70 million Americans struggling with sleep-related issues.Â
The good news is that there are lifestyle changes that can be made to help support better sleep habits.Â
In this post, we’re talking about magnesium and its role it may play in helping support sleep.
Why Magnesium is Important For SleepÂ
The first thing to know about magnesium and sleep is that those who aren’t getting enough may find themselves waking up more often at night. Magnesium is also known to help support GABA levels, a neurotransmitter that also plays a role in helping us get a better night’s sleep. Not only that, but magnesium has also been found to help support the body’s stress response, which may make it easier for us to fall asleep when we are feeling tense.Â
The Best Food Sources of Magnesium Â
To help boost your intake of magnesium, we are breaking down some of the most magnesium-rich foods to consider adding to your diet. Not only are these foods rich in magnesium, but they make a great addition to a healthy and well-balanced diet.Â
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Tofu
- AvocadosÂ
- Dark chocolate (go for unsweetened and 70% or darker cacao)Â
- Legumes
- BananasÂ
- Dark leafy greensÂ
Magnesium plays a huge role in supporting optimal health, and making sure we are getting enough of these magnesium-rich foods in our diet is a great way to keep our magnesium levels up while giving our body the nutrients it needs to function at its best.Â