Does Honey Help You Sleep at Night?

Sleep is an essential aspect of maintaining overall well-being, but many individuals struggle with achieving a restful night’s sleep. In the search for natural sleep aids, honey has been touted as a potential alternative. But can honey really help you fall asleep?

Honey’s Sleep-Promoting Theories

Evidence based on observation and anecdotal reports suggest honey might improve sleep through two main mechanisms. Firstly, by promoting liver glycogen storage, which the brain uses during sleep to ensure a continuous energy supply. Raw honey, a rapidly digestible dense energy source, may provide the necessary sleep-time energy reserve for the brain.

Additionally, honey may promote melatonin formation due to its possible tryptophan content, an amino acid that is a precursor to melatonin, the hormone regulating the sleep-wake cycle. This could help initiate sleep and promote whole body recovery during sleep.

However, these findings have limitations. Evidence based on observation and anecdotal reports lack the scientific rigor of controlled studies. The direct relationship between honey and sleep remains largely unexplored. Therefore, further investigation is needed to establish honey’s efficacy as a sleep aid.

Conclusion

While honey is not harmful and may offer some indirect benefits for sleep, there is currently insufficient scientific evidence to support the idea that honey is a reliable remedy for insomnia. 

That said, if you enjoy the taste of honey and find it soothing to have a spoonful before bed, it certainly won’t hurt. 

Categorised in: blog

This post was written by Tucker Peck