Sweet Sleep formula: what's inside?

Humans spend approximately one-third of their lives sleeping, with healthy sleep required for maintaining optimal immune system function, restoring physical and mental function, and supporting energy and vitality. 

However, according to a survey conducted by UK’S Mental Health Foundation, nearly a third of the UK population has been found to suffer from insomnia (regular sleeping problems), while 30% are severely sleep deprived, putting them more at risk of mental health and relationship issues 1. Although having trouble sleeping (whether falling asleep or staying asleep) is the issue, there are a few factors that can influence how much shut-eye you get at night, such as: 

• stress, 
• physical disturbances e.g. headaches
• chronic pain 
• taking medications. 

We recommend taking a blend of certain nutrients such as 

• magnesium
• zinc
• lemon balm 
• Montmorency cherry 

to help you drift into a deep and restful sleep. We’ve included these nutrients in our Sweet Sleep product and here’s why:

Magnesium is an important mineral due to its use in over 300 reactions in the body. It has been shown to influence various neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) which have a relaxant effect, supporting the body to prepare for sleep. Supplementation of magnesium has been shown to significantly improve various parameters of insomnia, including sleep onset latency and sleep efficiency, after 8 weeks of regular intake 2. Another study identified that a magnesium supplement with other key nutrients such as zinc improved sleep and quality of life in care home residents with insomnia after 8 weeks of supplementation 3.  

Zinc is another mineral that contributes to ensuring that you get the most out of your time asleep. Studies concluded that supplementation of 15mg of zinc a day improved the length of time asleep as well as shortening the time it took to fall asleep after 12 weeks, compared to the studies’ control groups 4.  

We researched a variety of herbal extracts and found that lemon balm could reduce anxiety and increase feelings of calmness, both of which help to alleviate sleep disturbances 5, 6. Other research shows that in combination with valerian, lemon balm has a positive effect on anxiety and sleep disturbances 7.

We have also included Montmorency cherry in our formula, which is a type of sour/tart cherry. It contains a high number of antioxidants and anthocyanins which help to create melatonin, a molecule that regulates our sleep-wake cycle 8, 9. Supplementation of tart cherry juice was studied and it was found that, after 2 weeks, symptoms of insomnia significantly improved in older adults 10.

Further research into neurotransmitters has highlighted that a particular protein (amino acid) glycine has been shown to have a positive effect on sleep 11. Taking glycine before bedtime has been shown to significantly improve ‘liveliness and peppiness’ and clear-headedness based on a double-blind randomised study 12. 

With all these incredible nutrients packed into our Sweet Sleep product, you’ll be drifting off as soon as you hit the pillow!

Check out our Sweet Sleep here.