Published: 17:07 BST, 29 August 2026 | Updated: 17:57 BST, 29 August 2026
It's 2am, your mind is racing, and falling asleep seems impossible.
Before reaching for a sleep supplement, gummy or booze, you may want to try something sweeter and simpler: two kiwis before bed.
'There is some intriguing research suggesting kiwi may support sleep, but the evidence is still limited,' Tara Schmidt, lead dietitian with the Mayo Clinic Diet, told Daily Mail.
'One small study found that eating two kiwis about an hour before bed was associated with improvements in sleep onset, duration and efficiency.'
The research was a study in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition that helped spark interest in kiwifruit as a whole-food option for better sleep.
It's not a sedative, but it may gently support sleep chemistry, as well as improve mood and digestion.
Kiwifruit contains several compounds that could plausibly facilitate sleep
Kiwifruit's sleep-inducing quality comes from its mix of serotonin, antioxidants and folate.
Serotonin is often linked to mood, but it also helps regulate sleep.
'Kiwis contain high levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that helps control your sleep cycle and acts as a building block for the sleep hormone melatonin,' said Julia Zumpano, a registered dietician at Cleveland Clinic.
In simple terms, kiwi may give the body some of the raw materials it uses to wind down.
Its Vitamin C and E content may also help counter oxidative stress, which has been tied to sleep problems, according to the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges.
Its nutrients may help create a sleep-friendly mood and mindset, making it easier for the brain to shift out of overdrive naturally.
'Kiwifruit contains several compounds that could plausibly play a role, including antioxidants and serotonin, but we don't have enough evidence to say that kiwi actually induces sleep or treats insomnia,' Schmidt continued.
