Have you been noticing that you have spent too many nights finding it challenging to fall asleep? If you’re losing hours tossing, turning and just lying awake in bed at night, then chances are you’re suffering from insomnia. Getting a full night’s sleep can prove extremely beneficial for your health. Besides regulating your internal clock or circadian rhythm, sleeping well has multiple benefits such as boosting the immune system and preventing diseases. If you are worried about not getting even the minimum eight hours of recommended sleep, look no further. In this article, we will explore some of the ways to fix your sleep cycle and manage insomnia through the consumption of grapes, also called Draksha.
Insomnia According to Ayurveda
The ancient science of Ayurveda recommends the three-fold benefits of a well-balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate sound sleep. As per Ayurvedic wisdom, a good night’s sleep has multiple benefits. For instance, good sleep fosters Sukha or happiness, Pushti or nutrition and nourishment, Bala or stamina and strength, Gyaan or knowledge or improved cognitive ability and Jeevita or life force. Some of the adverse effects of lack of sleep and irregular sleeping patterns are hormonal imbalance, poor metabolism & digestive issues, and impaired brain functions. Currently, studies have shown that at least 25-30% of the world’s adult population between 20 – 65 years of age suffer from insomnia. Being sleep deprived due to insomnia can have multiple adverse effects on the body.
Ayurveda’s Take on Insomnia and Grapes
Studies have shown that grapes, or Draksha, contain melatonin, a hormone that is in charge of regulating the body’s sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin is the critical sleep hormone that signals your brain of the time to wake up and the time to hit the bed. This hormone is found naturally in the body, made by the pineal gland in the brain. The levels of melatonin rise in the evening as a signal for the brain to indicate bedtime and reduce with the approaching dawn. While a melatonin supplement can help bring your circadian rhythm back to normal, it’s necessary to consult a doctor to find out the prescribed dosage based on your condition. A handful of grapes before bed can be a great way to get a head start for a sound sleep at night and cure insomnia naturally.
Scientific Comments
It is commonly known that warm milk helps ward off insomnia and facilitates a good sleep at night. Scientists believe that consuming grapes is also a great way to ensure good sleep. Scientists speculate that melatonin in grapes may act as an antioxidant that protects plants from environmental oxidative stress. Due to the high melatonin content, it is believed that consuming grapes may be a great way to cure insomnia naturally. Eating a small bowl of fresh grapes before going to bed at night assists in rectifying insomnia. Grapes are known to contain high quantities of beneficial nutrients such as resveratrol, carotenoid and antioxidants, along with a powerful compound called melatonin. The high doses of melatonin in grapes helps eliminate harmful free radicals from the body and relieve insomnia.
As per experts, out of 8 types of grapes that were tested for melatonin, 3 types of grapes were found to have the highest amounts of melatonin. These are Nebbiolo grapes, Croatina grapes and Merlot grapes.
Besides the consumption of grapes, there are several other ways to ensure a good sleeping pattern. For instance, establishing a routine is a great start. Cutting off using electronic devices atleast an hour before bed, eliminating down the consumption of caffeine later in the day and also avoiding nicotine or smoking are some of the great ways to ensure a good night’s sleep.
This article is reviewed by Dr. Sunanda Ranade
