“May cause drowsiness”: melatonin found in wine grapes
It’s no surprise that red wine makes you sleepy, but Italian scientists have discovered the reason - high levels of the sleep hormone melatonin.
According to University of Milan lead researcher Iriti Marcello, the melatonin content in wine grapes could help regulate human sleep-wake patterns, known as the circadian rhythm, just like the melatonin produced by the pineal gland in mammals.
Melatonin, which is believed to have antioxidant properties, is naturally secreted by the brain’s light-sensitive pineal gland at night, and informs the body when it is time to sleep. more…
