Health Benefits of Melatonin
June 23, 2020
Melatonin is a potent antioxidant, and has anti-inflammatory properties!
“Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” My parents quoted this on a regular basis when I was a child and trying to come up with a reason to be allowed to stay up late or sleep in late. It turns out that there is research backing this up – at least the “healthy” part.
Melatonin is known to many as the sleep hormone. Melatonin supplements are frequently used to reset the circadian rhythm which gets out of sync due to jet lag. But did you know that melatonin is also a potent antioxidant, has anti-inflammatory properties and is involved in immunomodulation?
Melatonin is produced mainly in the pineal gland, a small pea-shaped gland in the brain. It’s synthesis and release are stimulated and inhibited by light. Levels naturally rise beginning around 8:00 p.m. and peak in the middle of the night around 2:00 a.m. This normal circadian rhythm is maintained or can be interrupted by our lifestyle. A regular and consistent bedtime and sleeping in darkness during the night are helpful. Spending time outdoors in the sunlight during the day will increase production of serotonin, a precursor to melatonin.
There are also foods that are high in melatonin. These include (in ascending order) bananas with 31.4ng, tomatoes, asparagus, oats, barley, peanuts, ginger root, rice, corn, walnuts, tart cherries, and tart cherry juice with 17,535ng. Supplements aren’t needed with the levels in these foods!
Take a look at how you can practice early to bed, early to rise and get some bright sunshine every day. Your body and your brain will thank you!
Food with Melatonin and more information about it.
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