Did you know that milk, besides being a great beverage, could help you relax and sleep better?
Milk has several components that contribute to this, but there are mainly two elements that are responsible for the all so popular belief that a warm glass of milk can help us sleep better at night.
Calcium is absolutely necessary to help keep our bones strong and healthy, and free our body of osteoporosis, and help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, thus preventing heart diseases. Calcium can also help reduce stress and muscular tension. Calcium is also known as “a natural tranquilizer” thanks to its relaxing effect.
On the other hand, research has found that those people who suffer from severe stress have an inadequate diet where there are nutrient deficiencies, which include calcium.
When stress wears out the body, calcium is the agent that accelerates recovery, and if the person does not consume adequate amounts of this mineral, the body will then have certain difficulties to compensate for this.
Potassium and magnesium (also present in milk) are also essential in any daily diet, because they stimulate the organic reaction against those hormones segregated by the body in response to stress. They also offer relaxing properties and help keep the body’s stable cardiac rhythm.
Another important milk component is tryptophan, which is a natural amino acid that aids the brain in producing a substance called serotonin, that when combined with melatonin are responsible for the sleep cycle that produces a sensation of wellbeing and definitely helps get a better nights sleep. Tryptophan also acts as a natural antidepressant, reducing anxiety and stress.
In addition to all these components, magnesium and Group B vitamins, which are also found in milk, also help achieve this relaxing effect.
So, as you can see, there aren’t just one or two reasons, but rather a variety of different reasons to drink a delicious glass of Coronado milk before going to bed.
By: Erika Campos, Licentiate.
Coronado’s Nutritional Advisor.