{"id":34645,"date":"2025-02-28T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-staging.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/?p=34645"},"modified":"2025-02-28T14:22:44","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T14:22:44","slug":"butter-before-bed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/butter-before-bed\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Eating Butter Before Bed Good for You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>There\u2019s been a lot of buzz on social media lately about eating a spoonful or a few bites of butter before bed. Some say it\u2019s worked wonders for their sleepless nights. The idea is simple and intriguing, but is there any truth behind the claim?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Can butter help you&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/how-to-sleep-better\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">get better rest<\/a>, or is it just another trend? Here\u2019s everything you need to know about eating butter before bed and whether it could impact your sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The nutritional profile of butter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Butter is high in calories and fat, with a tablespoon of unsalted butter providing 102 calories, 11.5 grams of fat, and less than half a gram total of protein and carbs.\u00a0<sup>[1]<\/sup>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of the fat is saturated fat. While fat is essential for energy and absorbing certain vitamins, consuming too much of certain fats, like saturated fat, can raise LDL (&#8220;bad&#8221;) cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.\u00a0<sup>[2, 3]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Butter offers little nutritional value but does provide about 11% of the daily value for vitamin A, which supports vision and organ health.&nbsp;<sup>[1, 4, 5]<\/sup>&nbsp;You can easily get vitamin A from nutrient-rich foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, and fortified milk.&nbsp;<sup>[5]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Potential benefits of eating butter before bed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No studies prove butter helps with sleep, but a small amount before bed may help some feel satisfied and prevent hunger. It might also feel comforting, with some people experiencing a placebo effect from believing it helps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Potential risks of eating butter before bed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some good sleep habits for a better night\u2019s rest include avoiding heavy meals and maintaining a healthy diet.&nbsp;<sup>[6]<\/sup>&nbsp;While a small amount of butter doesn\u2019t define whether a diet is healthy or count as a heavy meal, it\u2019s still important not to overdo it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although there isn&#8217;t research on butter\u2019s effects on sleep, some studies have looked at link between\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/nutrition-and-sleep\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nutrition and sleep<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A review found that eating more saturated fat is linked to poorer sleep, with less\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/what-is-deep-sleep-and-do-you-need-deep-sleep\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">deep sleep<\/a>\u00a0and more difficulty falling asleep. On the other hand, eating healthier unsaturated fats is linked to better sleep and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/how-to-sleep-fast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">falling asleep faster<\/a>.<sup>\u00a0[7]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have digestive issues, be mindful of what you eat as it can disrupt sleep.\u00a0<sup>[8]\u00a0<\/sup>Fatty or greasy foods, like butter, can trigger indigestion, so keep portions small if you try it before bed.\u00a0<sup>[9]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Comparing butter with other evening snacks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When thinking about&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/blog-staging.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/best-snacks-before-bed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nighttime snacks<\/a>, it&#8217;s worth comparing butter to alternatives with better sleep benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Butter vs. nut butters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Nut butters like almond and peanut butter provide healthy unsaturated fats that may improve sleep.&nbsp;<sup>[7, 10]<\/sup>&nbsp;Unlike butter, they also contain protein and fiber to help you feel fuller.<sup>&nbsp;[11]<\/sup>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although it&#8217;s a small amount, nut butters offer more\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/why-does-turkey-make-you-sleepy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tryptophan<\/a>\u2014a protein building block your body uses to produce\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-melatonin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">melatonin<\/a>\u00a0and serotonin, hormones vital for sleep\u2014than butter.\u00a0<sup>[1, 12, 13]\u00a0<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Butter vs. cheese<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cheese contains a small amount of tryptophan, though more than butter, as well as protein.&nbsp;<sup>[14]&nbsp;<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some studies suggest milk and dairy products like\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/cheese-before-bed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cheese may support sleep<\/a>, possibly due to their tryptophan and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.\u00a0<sup>[15]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Butter vs. herbal teas<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/beginners-tea-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Herbal teas<\/a>&nbsp;are caffeine-free and can be calming, with the act of sipping helping you relax. Chamomile, in particular, has compounds that improve sleep, reducing awakenings during the night.&nbsp;<sup>[16]&nbsp;<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/how-lavender-improves-sleep-quality\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lavender<\/a>, found in some teas, may help with anxiety, which can also improve sleep quality.<sup>&nbsp;[17]&nbsp;<\/sup>Butter contains none of these sleep-enhancing compounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Tips for including butter in your nighttime routine<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re curious about trying butter as a nighttime snack, here are some helpful tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Keep it small:<\/strong>\u00a0A tablespoon or bite-size is enough.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pair with whole grains:<\/strong>\u00a0Try toast or crackers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Eat with fruits\/veggies:<\/strong>\u00a0Try apple slices or carrots.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Combine with protein:<\/strong>\u00a0Add a small amount of nuts or cheese.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The bottom line on eating butter before bed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Butter may provide comfort, but it lacks proven sleep benefits. Nighttime snack options like nut butters, cheese, or herbal teas may be more effective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you choose to try butter before bed, keep portions small and be mindful of your overall diet and digestive health for the best results.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Is butter OK before bed?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Butter can be eaten before bed, but it has no proven sleep benefits. Keep portions small to prevent digestive discomfort and avoid excessive saturated fat intake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why does butter make you sleepy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Butter may help some feel full, preventing hunger from waking them. However, the sleep benefit could be due to a placebo effect, where people feel better because they believe it helps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>What effect will a nighttime banana have on your sleep? Here&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/banana-before-bed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">what happens when you eat a banana before bed<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>U.S. Department of Agriculture: FoodData Central: Butter, without salt.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/food-details\/173430\/nutrients\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/food-details\/173430\/nutrients<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MedlinePlus. Dietary Fats.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/dietaryfats.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/dietaryfats.html<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>American Heart Association. The Skinny on Fats.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/cholesterol\/prevention-and-treatment-of-high-cholesterol-hyperlipidemia\/the-skinny-on-fats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/cholesterol\/prevention-and-treatment-of-high-cholesterol-hyperlipidemia\/the-skinny-on-fats<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Food and Drug Administration. Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplements Facts Labels.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/food\/nutrition-facts-label\/daily-value-nutrition-and-supplement-facts-labels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/food\/nutrition-facts-label\/daily-value-nutrition-and-supplement-facts-labels<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin A and Carotenoids: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/VitaminA-HealthProfessional\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/VitaminA-HealthProfessional\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Sleep. About Sleep.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/sleep\/about\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/sleep\/about\/index.html<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wilson, K., St-Onge, M. P., &amp; Tasali, E. (2022). Diet Composition and Objectively Assessed Sleep Quality: A Narrative Review.\u00a0Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,\u00a0122(6), 1182\u20131195. <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9124688\/pdf\/nihms-1772505.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jand.2022.01.007<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hyun, M. K., Baek, Y., &amp; Lee, S. (2019). Association between digestive symptoms and sleep disturbance: a cross-sectional community-based study.\u00a0BMC gastroenterology,\u00a019(1), 34.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC6381712\/#Sec13\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12876-019-0945-9<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms &amp; Causes of Indigestion.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.niddk.nih.gov\/health-information\/digestive-diseases\/indigestion-dyspepsia\/symptoms-causes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.niddk.nih.gov\/health-information\/digestive-diseases\/indigestion-dyspepsia\/symptoms-causes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. Department of Agriculture: MyPlate. Rethink Fats.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.myplate.gov\/tip-sheet\/rethink-fats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.myplate.gov\/tip-sheet\/rethink-fats<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Njike, V. Y., Smith, T. M., Shuval, O., Shuval, K., Edshteyn, I., Kalantari, V., &amp; Yaroch, A. L. (2016). Snack Food, Satiety, and Weight.\u00a0Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.),\u00a07(5), 866\u2013878.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2161831322007748?via%3Dihub\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3945\/an.115.009340<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. Department of Agriculture: FoodData Central: Peanut butter, smooth style, without salt.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/food-details\/172470\/nutrients\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/food-details\/172470\/nutrients<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MedlinePlus.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/002332.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tryptophan<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. Department of Agriculture: FoodData Central: Cheese, cheddar, sharp, sliced.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/food-details\/170899\/nutrients\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/food-details\/170899\/nutrients<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Komada, Y., Okajima, I., &amp; Kuwata, T. (2020). The Effects of Milk and Dairy Products on Sleep: A Systematic Review.\u00a0International journal of environmental research and public health,\u00a017(24), 9440.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/17\/24\/9440\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph17249440<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kazemi, A., Shojaei-Zarghani, S., Eskandarzadeh, P., &amp; Hashempur, M. H. (2024). Effects of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.\u00a0Complementary therapies in medicine,\u00a084, 103071.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0965229924000591?via%3Dihub\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ctim.2024.103071<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NIH: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Lavender.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nccih.nih.gov\/health\/lavender\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.nccih.nih.gov\/health\/lavender<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s been a lot of buzz on social media lately about eating a spoonful or a few bites of butter before bed. Some say it\u2019s worked wonders for their sleepless nights. The idea is simple and intriguing, but is there any truth behind the claim?&nbsp; Can butter help you&nbsp;get better rest, or is it just [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":166,"featured_media":34646,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[396,389],"tags":[],"coauthors":[495],"guest":[],"host":[],"class_list":["post-34645","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sleep-food","category-sleep-health"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34645","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/166"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34645"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34645\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34649,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34645\/revisions\/34649"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34645"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34645"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=34645"},{"taxonomy":"guest","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guest?post=34645"},{"taxonomy":"host","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/host?post=34645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}