4 Best Drinks for Sleep, According to Sleep Experts

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Though you might be in the habit of eating a couple of melatonin gummies before bedtime with the hopes of getting a good night’s rest, know that they are far from the only thing you can consume for better sleep. In fact, according to two leading sleep experts, what you eat and sip on throughout the day plays a critical role in the quality of your shuteye. To help with restless nights, these sleep specialists shared four of the best rest-inducing drinks (and the last one might really surprise you). Plus, they unveil the beverages you should avoid drinking before going to bed that can disrupt the quality of your sleep throughout the night.

4 best rest-inducing drinks to sip on throughout the day, according to sleep experts

Chamomile Tea

According to sleep-medicine specialist Wendy Troxel, PhD, a senior behavioral scientist at the public policy research organization RAND Corporation and author of Sharing the Covers: Every Couple’s Guide to Better Sleep, one of the best rest-inducing drinks is chamomile tea. A study analyzing the therapeutic efficacy and safety of chamomile for state anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, and sleep quality showed a significant improvement in sleep quality after chamomile administration. “For many people, having a cup of chamomile tea as part of a nightly wind-down routine is a great way to set the stage for a good night of sleep,” Dr. Troxel says. “And it can also be consumed throughout the day.”

Tart Cherry Juice

Dr. Troxel also recommends drinking tart cherry juice, which evidence has indicated may enhance sleep quality. Research suggests that tart Montmorency cherries contain high levels of phytochemicals, including melatonin, a molecule critical in regulating the sleep-wake cycle in humans. The study also shows significant increases in time in bed, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency with cherry juice supplementation.

Water

Now, if you don’t want to get up in the middle of the night to pee a million times (and disrupt your sleep), sleep experts suggest cutting back on fluids a few hours before bedtime. This is why drinking plenty of water early on and throughout the day is important. “It’s critical to stay hydrated during the day, as you don’t want to be guzzling liquids at night, which can, in turn, lead to frequent trips to the bathroom and disrupted sleep. I recommend keeping a water bottle with you during the day to encourage frequent sipping while trying to minimize fluids an hour or two before bedtime,” Dr. Troxel says.

Green Tea

According to Michael Breus, PhD (aka “The Sleep Doctor”), a leading sleep specialist and clinical psychologist, drinking green tea throughout the day can also help promote better sleep come nightfall. “I would say my number one choice in terms of sleep-boosting drinks would be green tea because of an active ingredient it contains called L-theanine,” Dr. Breus says. Though consuming green tea might sound counterintuitive due to its caffeine content, he reassures that its quantity is minimal—especially those made with lower caffeine content—and can help people focus better while awake. Research also shows that low-caffeine green tea intake can reduce stress in middle-aged individuals and improve their sleep quality.

What are drinks you shouldn’t consume before going to bed?

If you’re looking to get the best rest possible, there are a few drinks—namely, alcohol and high-caffeine beverages—that both sleep experts agree will disrupt your sleep quality. “Alcohol and caffeinated beverages are both powerful sleep disrupters, so it is best to limit intake of such beverages or avoid them completely, especially before bed,” Dr. Troxel says. Although some can confuse alcohol-related drowsiness with promoting good sleep, she explains that’s really not the case. “The idea of alcohol being a ‘nightcap’ to induce sleep is a total misnomer. Alcohol reduces the quality of sleep and leads to sleep fragmentation, particularly fragmenting REM or dream sleep, which is critical for memory and emotional well-being,” she says.

Additionally, highly caffeinated drinks might also affect the quality of your sleep. “Caffeine is a stimulant. Even if you are someone who believes caffeine doesn’t affect your ability to sleep, it likely does affect your sleep quality and depth, so it’s best to avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening hours,” says Dr. Troxel.

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