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How Vegan sleep products are taking over

BY READERS DIGEST

9th Sep 2021 Wellbeing

How Vegan sleep products are taking over

Getting a good night’s sleep plays a critical role in maintaining good health and wellness.

.Adequate sleep is not just essential to avoid medical problems, but it is also vital for day-to-day activities and cognitive functioning. Research indicates that memorization and sleep go hand in hand, which is why kids and students are advised to get enough rest with at least ten hours of shut-eye.

Insomnia or the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep for the required eight hours each night is fast becoming a huge problem. Statistics suggest that at least 36% of UK adults suffer from short-term or long-term insomnia, with a large percentage of seniors facing this problem. Patients with insomnia also find it hard to go into the deep sleep or REM (Rapid Eye Movement) cycle when their bodies relax entirely. Many solutions are now emerging for treating insomnia, and veganism is increasingly being accepted as effective.

Understanding the main causes of insomnia

Before understanding how to treat insomnia, identifying the primary causes is essential. Most cases are linked to stress that can result from significant life changes, such as losing a job or the death of a loved one. Emotional upheaval from a broken relationship like a divorce or moving to a new location may contribute to sleeplessness. Genetics can play an important part with many patients noting a family tendency to have this problem. Medical problems and lifestyle changes like changing work shifts or excessive noise or light can also impact sleep.

Research shows that a plant-based diet regulates moods

Results of research conducted on a group of patients who have insomnia suggest that gradually shifting from an animal-based diet to a plant-based diet is effective for regulating moods. Overall mental health improvements have also been noticed among people who follow a vegan diet. While vegan sleep products designed explicitly for vegan consumers have been introduced in the market, their efficacy is also being appreciated by patients with varying lifestyle habits.

Popular vegan sleep products

Several over-the-counter organic sleep products have been available to patients with insomnia, but manufacturers are now releasing variations for vegans. Here are a few examples.

L-Tryptophan

L-Tryptophan is known to be highly effective in inducing sleep by balancing hormones, calming anxiety, and stimulating feelings of drowsiness. Typically, tryptophan supplements contain animal-based products like chicken, cheese, milk, turkey, fish, and eggs. Since recent times, this supplement is also available with ingredients extracted primarily from plants, including dates, nuts, and bananas.

5-HTP

5-HTP is a byproduct of tryptophan and is an effective sleep aid since it promotes the release of serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that balances sleep-wake cycles and helps maintain a positive mood making it easier for patients to fall asleep. Conventionally, 5-HTP is sourced from milk, turkey, and chicken, but the increasing demand for vegan versions has resulted in widespread availability in pharmacies. Several 5-HTP brands now contain only pumpkin seeds, bananas, and spinach, while others may contain seeds of the Griffonia plant found in West Africa.

Melatonin

The brain produces a hormone called melatonin according to natural light cycles. As evening draws near, the gathering darkness stimulates melatonin which acts as a signal to fall asleep. Supplements like Uncle Bud's CBD Sleep Gummies that contain this hormone, other vegan products, and flavoring agents can be ordered online to stimulate restful sleep and treat insomnia.

Biotin

Biotin is yet another organic compound that naturally induces sleep. Biotin is known as an agent that regulates cellular metabolism, slowing it down as evening approaches. As a result, the body starts to relax gradually in the hours leading up to bedtime. Eggs are a rich source of biotin, but nutritionists assisting with sleep disorders now recommend plant-based foods to treat insomnia. These include mushrooms, avocados, sesame and sunflower seeds, tahini or sesame seed paste, oats in any form, yeast, and muesli. Eating a handful of toasted nuts can also promote better sleep quality.

Following a vegan lifestyle can do wonders for overall health and wellness, not to mention fewer mood swings, a lower Body Mass Index, and higher energy levels. Opting for vegan sleep products might just deliver more effective results without the usual concerns about a long-term dependence on drugs or the harmful effects of animal products.

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