Is Drinking Wine a Good Sleep Aid?
It’s ok on occasion to enjoy a glass of wine in the evening to help relieve stress, which can deter us from falling asleep easier. Some say that the sleep benefits of wine come from a chemical called melatonin, which is found in high levels in the skins of red grapes.
Who I’m talking to today are those that feel the need for wine every night before bed. Yes, it may help you to fall sleep easier, but how is the quality of sleep? Drinking any type of alcohol before bed can actually cause more damage than good.
When we drink alcohol, our blood sugar spikes and insulin rises. If you drink in the evening it’s possible that you’ll be waking up throughout the night and struggling to get back to sleep. Sleep is one of the most important things for your overall health and longevity. This is the time when your body heals both mentally and physically.
When I work with clients on their weight-loss, sleep issues, low fatigue and digestive symptoms, one of things I focus on is healing the gut. Any kind of alcohol is dehydrating and will be a hindrance with this healing process. Alcohol can irritate the lining of the gut, called the mucosal barrier. When the gut is inflamed, other issues can arise, like malabsorption of nutrients, leaky gut syndrome, constipation, and low energy.
Healthier, productive sleep aids and a source to relieve stress can be light exercise such as yoga and/or stretching or reading. Watching T.V. or working on the computer are not good options.
We all want to feel energetic throughout the day. Good health and longevity come from eating right, staying hydrated, managing stress and getting a good night’s sleep.
