Sleep expert warns eating banana before bed can have unfortunate consequences

16 May 2023 , 15:06

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Bananas are a healthy choice, but you might want to pick a different bedtime (Image: Getty Images)

If you're been struggling with nightmares recently, you might want to cut back on your late-night snacks. It's common knowledge there are certain foods you shouldn't eat right before bed.

But did you know bananas might be disrupting your sleep? Well, it turns out the healthy snack could be causing your bad dreams.

Confirming you might not want to eat the fruit late at night, the experts at explained: "Bananas are a superfood that can be enjoyed pretty much any time of the day. However, eating them too close to bedtime can contribute to a restless night's sleep and stimulate vivid dreams or nightmares."

Your diet could be the cause of your nightmares (stock photo) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

According to the sleep gurus, it is melatonin increase that is to blame. "Due to their high levels of magnesium which relax the muscles and calm the body, many people can benefit from their soothing effects late at night. However, bananas also produce a high amount of melatonin and too much melatonin can have the opposite effect of its intended purpose."

So the pros aren't saying to forgo bananas but think about when's best to enjoy the fruit. They claimed: "Whilst they give us 26% of the daily recommended value of melatonin, experiencing these levels before bed can make it harder for you to sleep.

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"This is because your circadian rhythms will be disrupted and activate your imagination."

So it is worth brushing up on your banana knowledge. After all, nobody wants to lose out on sleep. "The timing of melatonin is key to help sleep. Ideally, if you do enjoy a late-night snack before bed, try to leave it at an hour or two before attempting to sleep," according to experts at

However, you might find bananas actually help you to drift off, as some experts are all for the snack. "Fruits such as kiwi and banana are both great options if you are feeling peckish towards bedtime," claimed Fergus Smithers, Head of Food at plant-based recipe box subscription service Grubby.

He advised: "Kiwis are loaded with serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates your sleep-wake cycle, naturally helping you fall into a deeper sleep.

"Similarly, another key fruit is bananas which contain magnesium, potassium and tryptophan, which aid in muscle relaxation and promoting sleep. Bananas are also very high in fibre, making you feel full and satisfied before falling asleep."

Amber O'Connor