Pippa Corbett answered
The quick answer is that it doesn't. Although tonic water has a number of therapeutic properties, there's little to suggest that it affects someone's ability to sleep.
Does tonic water affect sleep?
Quinine is the active ingredient that is of most interest when it comes to the medicinal and therapeutic properties of tonic water.
This crystaline alkaloid is known for its analgesic properties (it acts like a pain-killer), so in this context it may cause slight drowsiness.
It is also thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, and was an early cure for diseases like malaria!
However, the amount of quinine found in modern tonic water is so small that most of these properties are severely limited.
As for how the drink affects sleep, it's true that large quantities of quinine might induce sleep, but the dangers of ingesting so much quinine would far outweigh any benefits as a sleep-aid.
If you're looking for a natural way to get a healthy night's sleep, I'd recommend a diet that includes the following:
Does tonic water affect sleep?
Quinine is the active ingredient that is of most interest when it comes to the medicinal and therapeutic properties of tonic water.
This crystaline alkaloid is known for its analgesic properties (it acts like a pain-killer), so in this context it may cause slight drowsiness.
It is also thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, and was an early cure for diseases like malaria!
However, the amount of quinine found in modern tonic water is so small that most of these properties are severely limited.
As for how the drink affects sleep, it's true that large quantities of quinine might induce sleep, but the dangers of ingesting so much quinine would far outweigh any benefits as a sleep-aid.
If you're looking for a natural way to get a healthy night's sleep, I'd recommend a diet that includes the following:
- Cherries
- Fish
- Lemon balm
- Sage
- Chamomile
