How to sleep: The food group proven to help you get a good night’s sleep – what to eat

What’s more, the complex carbohydrates raise serotonin and lower the stress hormone, cortisol, high levels of which inhibit sleep, they said.

Whole grains are also rich in tryptophan and, according to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), carbohydrates help deliver tryptophan to the brain.

Tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes sleep, is a precursor to the sleep-inducing compounds serotonin (a neurotransmitter), and melatonin (a hormone which also acts as a neurotransmitter).

Sleep tips – what to avoid

According to NSF, a diet low in fibre and high in saturated fats could take a toll on your shuteye by decreasing the amount of deep, slow-wave sleep that you get during the night.