If You Have Trouble Sleeping, Dragon Fruit Could Help

You're probably aware of the importance of a good night's sleep. When you don't sleep well, it can affect your health. According to data presented by the Sleep Foundation, 35.2% of adults in the United States get less than seven hours of sleep per night, and 10% to 30% experience insomnia. Between 2017 and 2018, around 32% of working adults slept six hours or less, which showed an increase from about 28% during 2008 and 2009. 

When it comes to sleep, having a healthy diet is also essential. The American Sleep Association (ASA) explains that food and sleep go hand in hand. In other words, a diet that consists mainly of sugar and fat could impede your sleep and leave you feeling tired even after you just wake up. Eating nutritious meals supports your body's natural rhythms, including restful sleep patterns. If you find you struggle with getting decent amounts of shuteye, then improving your daily food intake may be a good place to start.

One way to enhance your diet is by adding dragon fruit. In fact, one six-ounce serving of dragon fruit contains 68 milligrams of the nutrient (via WebMD), which is 18% of the recommended daily amount of magnesium, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Magnesium is necessary for several bodily functions, including sleep (per the Sleep Foundation). A 2012 study published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences showed that adults who supplemented their diet with 500 milligrams of magnesium saw significant increases in sleep time and sleep efficiency.

Along with magnesium, dragon fruit contains a variety of nutrients, like lycopene, iron, and vitamin C (via the Cleveland Clinic). Lycopene, for one, may improve overall heart health. The iron included will transport energy throughout the blood. And vitamin C is known to boost your immune system. All in all, there are multiple ways to consume the pear-shaped fruit, including as a topping for your dessert, mixed in with your salad, in a smoothie, or simply as a snack.