Can Eating a Banana Before Bed Help You Sleep?

You Should Know: Before you hit the medicine cabinet for a sleep aid, should you visit your fruit bowl instead? You may have heard that eating a banana before bed can help you sleep — and there may be some truth to it. Bananas contain several nutrients linked to better sleep that could help you drift off a little easier. 

Going Deeper: Bananas are good sources of magnesium and potassium, which both support muscle function and relaxation. Magnesium is also linked to healthy nervous system function and better sleep quality, while potassium may reduce nighttime muscle cramping for some people. Bananas also contain vitamin B6 and tryptophan, nutrients involved in the body’s melatonin production. The complex carbs in bananas also improve the availability of tryptophan in the brain.

Takeaway: There’s not a ton of research into bananas and sleep, though the nutrients they contain have been widely studied. Eating a banana one to two hours before bed may be helpful to some people, though it won’t replace good sleep habits. 

Bottom Line: Bananas alone likely won’t be able to fix more serious sleep disorders, like chronic insomnia, but they could be a healthy addition to your sleep routine.