Serotonin in the body contributes to several aspects of sleep, including helping to initiate sleep onset and to maintain sleep during the night. The relationship of serotonin to depression has never been fully understood, and the precise role of the hormone in depression and other mood disorders remains contested among scientists. Serotonin deficiency has long been associated with depression and mood disorders. A hormone that also functions as a neurotransmitter, serotonin is involved in a broad range of physiologic processes: it has digestive and cardiovascular functions, assists in learning and memory, and helps to regulate appetite and mood. This latest study may well indicate a role for kiwifruit and other high-antioxidant foods in treating sleep problems.īeyond its strength as an antioxidant, kiwi is also a fruit high in serotonin. But what about improvements to sleep itself? We’ve yet to see much research directed at the role of antioxidants and antioxidant-rich foods in promoting sleep. A number of studies have demonstrated the negative effects of obstructive sleep apnea on antioxidant function, and that the antioxidant vitamin C is effective in treating cardiovascular problems associated with sleep apnea. Studies show that poor sleep is associated with decreased antioxidant levels, and also that recovery sleep appears to help restore antioxidant levels. Research has established a basic link between sleep and antioxidants in the body. The relationship between antioxidant foods and sleep is one we’re just beginning to understand. The same antioxidant properties that provide so many other health benefits also may help to improve sleep. What’s behind the possible benefits of kiwi to sleep? There are a couple of characteristics of the fruit that may make it a strong sleep-promoting food: its high antioxidant levels and its high serotonin levels. We need to see additional research explore the sleep-promoting effects of kiwifruit, but this is a pretty intriguing start. These are some pretty dramatic improvements to quality, quantity and efficiency of sleep. Total sleep time among the volunteers increased by 13.4%. Sleep efficiency-a measurement of the amount of time spent actually sleeping compared to the total amount of time spent in bed-increased by 5.41%.Scores on a standardized sleep quality questionnaire-where lower scores mean better sleep-decreased by 42.4%. Waking time after sleep onset-the amount of time spent in periods of wakefulness after initially falling asleep-fell 28.9%. Sleep onset latency-the amount of time it takes to fall asleep after going to bed-decreased by 35.4%.
After 4 weeks of kiwi consumption, researchers found significant improvements to several measures of sleep: Researchers collected data on volunteers’ sleep throughout the study period using sleep diaries, a standard sleep-quality questionnaire, and wristwatches that measured aspects of sleep quality and quantity. For a period of 4 weeks, the volunteers ate 2 kiwifruit 1 hour before bed. All were experiencing some form of disrupted sleep. Their study included 22 women and 2 men between the ages 20-55. They found that eating kiwi on a daily basis was linked to substantial improvements to both sleep quality and sleep quantity. Researchers at Taiwan’s Taipei Medical University studied the effects of kiwi consumption on sleep. Here’s some news that might make kiwi a true superfood: new research suggests that eating kiwifruit may have significant benefits for sleep. With all these benefits, its no surprise that kiwi often finds a place on lists of “superfoods,” those whole foods that pack the strongest nutritional and health-protective punch. Research suggests that kiwi is beneficial for children with respiratory problems. Studies point to the high-fiber, potassium-rich kiwi as a possible aid to heart health and to respiratory function. But does it have a place in your own kitchen’s fruit bowl? Loaded with Vitamin C, kiwi has potent antioxidant properties, which help boost immune system function and enhance cell protection and repair. Kiwi is a standard presence in fruit salad. 7 Things You May Not Know About Nutrition and Sleep.