From pumpkin seeds to coconut water and cherries, we reveal the 9 foods and nutrients that will help you sleep better

Meditation, picking up a good book, even counting sheep. All are remedies that are said to help you switch off and drift off to the land of nod. 

As well as sparking an irritable mood and general feelings of misery, a lack of sleep is detrimental to a person's health. 

Countless studies have warned of the dangers of not getting between six to eight hours sleep a night - generally accepted as the gold standard in sleep terms. 

Research has linked sleep disorders to life-threatening conditions including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. 

But, as well as relaxation techniques and ditching your blue-light emitting smartphone and tablet, there is another way to maximise the chances of getting a good night's sleep.

Nutritionists purport the benefits of a healthy diet, including key food groups packed with snooze-inducing nutrients and vitamins. Here we reveal the eight foods the experts advise you eat to sleep tight each night.