A warm glass of milk with honey before bed is an age-old remedy for insomnia. But unlike many old wives' tales, this one is backed by hard science. If you struggle to fall asleep or wake up frequently during the night, raw honey might be your solution.
The Liver Glycogen Connection
While you sleep, your brain requires a constant supply of energy to repair the body. This energy comes from glycogen stored in the liver. If your liver glycogen is depleted during the night, your brain triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which wake you up. A small spoonful of raw honey before bed provides an ideal ratio of fructose to glucose, perfectly restocking your liver glycogen to carry you through the night.
The Melatonin Boost
Honey also causes a slight elevation in insulin levels. This allows tryptophan (an amino acid) to enter the brain more easily, where it is converted into serotonin and then into melatonin—the hormone responsible for regulating your sleep-wake cycle.
For the best results, stir a teaspoon of our Forest Honey into chamomile tea or warm milk 30 minutes before bed.