We Asked a Dietitian What to Drink Before Bed for Better Sleep

If you struggle to fall asleep, your bedtime routine might be missing one simple ingredient. Some bedtime drinks can help your body produce more melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep.

We asked Dana Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD , a senior clinical dietitian at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, about what to sip before bed and when to drink it for the best results.

Q: What should you drink before bed to get better sleep, and how does it affect your body?

Hunnes : The best beverages to have before bed are those that will increase your natural levels of melatonin . There is some research to suggest that tart cherry juice may have that effect.

One to two hours before bed is the recommended timing, although some physicians suggest that three to four hours is the optimal timing for incr