DRØM – Sweet dreams are made of this

Do you also have trouble falling asleep ? And even when you do manage to fall asleep, do you keep waking up? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In a way, we’re not just seeing a pandemic right now, we’re also experiencing a “sleep deprivation pandemic” – globally, a good 30% of us suffer from sleep problems! ( 1) 

Scientists are still not sure why we humans sleep, some claim that we need sleep to consolidate memory, which means turning short-term memory into long-term memory. Other researchers claim that sleep acts as a way for the brain to clean out, getting rid of waste products that have been produced during a busy day of brain activity (2).

What happens when we don't get enough sleep? Both our immune system and the body's hormones are affected by sleep deprivation, but the nervous system is especially affected.

A scientific study has shown that under chronic stress, the brain's so-called “vacuum cleaners”, called astrocytes, go into too high a gear, where they not only remove old and dead cells, but unfortunately also functional nerve cells (3) .

Lack of sleep thus affects both your mental health and your gut health. PREMIND®BIOTICS, therefore, now launches DRØM , a unique blend of prebiotic and nootropic plants that can help you get a good night's sleep. We have researched and tested various ingredients to achieve the perfect DRØM blend. The one that is full of antioxidants, and flavonoids. Our formulas are packed with high-quality herbal extracts, encapsulated in acid-resistant capsules, the latter to ensure that the capsules do not dissolve before they reach the intestines.

Let's look at the science behind some of DRØM's ingredients.

Sour cherries

Sour cherries are a sister to the sweet cherries we all know and love. They are the fruit of the Prunus cerasus tree, which is found in Europe and Asia. The fruit is rich in vitamins A and C and polyphenols, such as anthocyanins, which help increase muscle recovery after exercise (7, 8) and relieve pain from joint-related conditions such as arthritis (9).

Tart cherries are also one of the few natural sources of the sleep hormone melatonin. Melatonin regulates the sleep-wake cycle, increasing sleep duration and quality. Consumption of tart cherry juice over 7 days has been shown to increase melatonin levels and sleep time (10).

It turns out that tart cherries are not only good for your sleep, but also for your gut. One study found that just 5 days after participants started consuming tart cherry concentrate, the levels of good bacteria in their gut increased (11).

Researchers also found that melatonin reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, which can cause discomfort and pain (12).

Lemon balm

Lemon balm, Melissa officinalis, is a member of the mint family, native to southern Europe and now grown worldwide. It is known for its many health benefits related to cognition, digestion, and stress (13). It is rich in antioxidants, especially phenolic acids (especially rosmarinic acid) and flavonoids.

In DRØM we use a high-quality lemon balm extract. Rosmarinic acid may have stress- and anxiety-relieving properties (14).

Combining lemon balm with other herbs, such as valerian root, may help ease insomnia (15). Research also shows that supplementing with lemon balm reduces signs of anxiety, stress, and sleep problems (16). A study using the same high-quality lemon balm extract that we use found that taking lemon balm extract for 15 days improved sleep quality and reduced stress (17).

Lemon balm also has a positive effect on our good gut bacteria. Research shows that lemon balm supplementation influences how diverse your gut microbiota is, and the greater the diversity the better (18). Furthermore, lemon balm can ease digestion and alleviate stomach pain (19).

Valerian root

Valerian root, Valeriana Officialis, is native to Europe and Asia, but also grows in North America. It has been used for centuries as a remedy for sleep problems. The root is rich in antioxidants, such as flavonoids and terpenoids. A compound that can support sleep and reduce stress.

Its relaxing  properties, come from its interaction with our brain’s primary chemical “relaxation messenger,” a neurotransmitter called GABA. In fact, anxiety and stress-reducing medications have the same function as valerian root (20). Valerian root is also rich in linarin, a flavonoid that may also affect your sleep, both in terms of how quickly you fall asleep and the quality of your sleep (21)(22).

A restful sleep is necessary for optimal health and we at PREMIND®BIOTICS would like to help you with that.

Read more about DRØM

 

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