Considering that we spend more than one-third of our life sleeping, we want to make sure that we fall asleep with ease and achieve an uninterrupted slumber.
However, this isn't always the case. Many of us will commonly have disturbed sleep, which involves several tossing and turning before we're able to settle.
According to new research, it suggests that there could be a scientific finding behind these restless nights.
While you'd assume that healthy drinks before bed would provide a sleeping aid, a sleep expert has warned otherwise as they explained how sugary drinks can secretly be marked as healthy.
Surprisingly, drinking a smoothie before bed could have the same effect as enjoying a sweet treat - such as candy, doughnuts, or even desserts.
According to research published in BMJ Open in March 2016, it stated that packaged smoothies, which are marketed to children in the UK, averaged two and a half teaspoons more sugar than juice.
Approximately 40% of the products tested contained close to four teaspoons of sugar.
Considering that sugar can play a part in several health concerns, it's no surprise that it should be avoided ahead of bedtime.
For many people, sweets can create an energy rush, which could result in them waiting several hours for the effects to die down and allow them to settle into sleep.
Registered dietician Carrie Gabriel recently spoke to EverydayHealth.com, offering people a healthy alternative if they find themselves getting hungry before bed.
She suggested: "If you are hungry before bed, a complex carbohydrate or protein is a better choice, like whole-wheat toast or a banana with Greek yogurt."
Alternatively, she recommends eating peanut putter or almond butter sandwiches on whole-grain bread.
Carrie explained further: "Almond or peanut butter are both high in protein and healthy, unsaturated fat, while whole-wheat bread offers fiber and more complex carbohydrates than white bread, keeping your blood-sugar levels stable while you sleep."
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