Walnuts for the Win (at Bedtime)
If you needed one more reason to appreciate the folks who grow our food, here it is. Walnuts may actually help you sleep better. According to a new randomized controlled trial highlighted by the California Walnut Commission, eating a simple handful of walnuts with dinner each day could improve overall sleep quality and cut down on daytime grogginess.
Researchers at the University of Barcelona followed 76 healthy young adults through an eight-week walnut versus no-walnut rotation. The walnut phase clearly came out ahead. Participants showed higher levels of melatonin markers in evening urine samples, better sleep quality scores, and even fell asleep about 1.3 minutes faster. Lead researcher Dr. Maria Izquierdo-Pulido said, “This is the first randomized controlled trial to show that daily walnut consumption measurably improved objective sleep quality and increased melatonin levels during evening hours.”
With more than one in three American adults not getting enough sleep, that is encouraging news. So tonight, add a few to your dinner and let the growers help tuck you in.
