From Bedtime Bites to Sleepy Sips: Food’s Next Wellness Frontier!

Welcome to this week's edition of GRATE!

Fresh off chairing the Insights & Trends Programme at Food Matters Live Manchester, one theme that stood out was the growing connection between food and sleep. As conversations around gut health, stress and daily performance take centre stage, sleep has become the new wellness currency -and food brands

are starting to take note.

The global sleep economy is booming, set to reach $585 billion in 2025, and while high-tech beds and sleep retreats are getting the headlines, there’s also a quiet revolution happening in the food aisle. From bedtime milks to tart cherry juices and functional drinks, we’re seeing a wave of innovation aimed at supporting sleep - not with pills, but with real food.

Science backs it up too: a growing body of research shows that what we eat can influence how well we sleep, particularly via the gut-brain axis. A more diverse gut microbiome has been linked to better sleep quality, while key nutrients - like magnesium, tryptophan, and melatonin - play important roles in how quickly we drift off and how deeply we rest.

So what’s landing in consumers’ shopping baskets? This week, I’m spotlighting 5 innovative food and drink products designed to support better sleep through smarter ingredients and thoughtful formulation.

And in case you’re wondering what to eat before bed, here are 9 natural sleep-supporting foods backed by science:

• Almonds (melatonin + magnesium)

• Chamomile tea (apigenin antioxidant for calm)

• Kiwi (rich in serotonin and antioxidants)

• Tart cherry juice (a natural melatonin source)

• Oily fish (omega-3 + vitamin D = deeper rest)

• Milk (tryptophan + melatonin support)

• Greek yoghurt (magnesium + protein)

• Bananas (potassium, magnesium + serotonin boost)

• Legumes (magnesium for anxiety reduction and deeper sleep)

With sleep now ranked as the second-highest wellness priority for consumers (McKinsey), this is a trend worth watching - and one food brands can’t afford to sleep on.

As always, enjoy the read and please do keep the feedback coming,

I love hearing how these insights and trends are

sparking growth in your organisation.

Annie x

TOM PARKER'S BEDTIME MILK

Bringing a modern spin to an age-old ritual, Tom Parker Creamery has launched a functional bedtime milk designed to support better sleep. This whole milk drink is gently infused with calming botanicals - chamomile, lavender, valerian root and magnolia - ingredients long linked to relaxation and improved sleep quality.

Unlike traditional supplements, this is real food innovation: a comforting, nutrient-rich option suitable for everyone from young children (3+) to health-conscious adults looking to unwind more naturally. It taps into growing interest in botanical ingredients and the rising demand for functional dairy.

Available now via Ocado and specialist distributor The Cress Co, Bedtime Milk is the latest move in Tom Parker Creamery’s strategy to blend heritage with modern wellness, following the success of their vitamin-enriched whole milk range. It's a smart, shelf-ready way to make “a better night’s sleep” part of the daily routine.

THE FUNCTIONAL CHOCOLATE COMPANY - SLEEPY CHOCOLATE

Who says chocolate and bedtime don’t mix?

The Functional Chocolate Company has reimagined the evening treat with its Sleepy Chocolate bar — a clever, plant-based formulation designed to help ease you into a restful night. Each bar combines botanicals like chamomile, valerian root, lavender, and lemon balm with nutrients such as magnesium, L-theanine, and melatonin, all wrapped in a rich dark chocolate base. It’s a standout example of how functional foods are shifting beyond pills and powders into indulgent, everyday formats. Vegan, non-GMO, and naturally sweetened, it offers a familiar delivery with a purpose — perfect for those wanting to wind down without sacrificing flavour. Sleep support has never looked (or tasted) this good.

LIQUID DEATH X MARYRUTH'S - SLEEP LIKE THE DEAD

Known for flipping the wellness world on its head, Liquid Death has teamed up with supplement brand MaryRuth’s to launch a limited-edition functional water called Sleep Like the Dead. This coconut-flavoured mineral drink blends magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D — nutrients known to support relaxation and sleep — into a formula designed to be part of a night time wind-down routine. In typical Liquid Death fashion, the product isn’t just functional — it’s theatrical. Wrapped in comedic horror branding and a bold campaign featuring clowns meeting their doom in dreamland, it’s a standout example of how brands are blending function, fun, and attitude to capture attention in the sleep-support space. It’s also a signal that functional waters are growing up, tapping into the supplement space with a cool, culturally relevant edge. Sleep, but make it punk rock.

SNOOZY - MICRODOSE SLEEP WITH BENEFITS GUMMIES

For those looking to improve sleep without next-day grogginess, Snoozy offers a thoughtfully formulated micro dose gummy designed to help you fall—and stay—asleep naturally. Each melatonin-free gummy combines 2mg THC, 10mg CBD, 5mg CBN, plus a blend of adaptogens and herbs like chamomile, offering a low-dose, customisable approach to bedtime support. Unlike stronger sedatives, this plant-based, vegan-friendly formula appeals to wellness-minded consumers who want a more holistic, fine-tuned solution for better rest. With additional SKUs ranging from THC-free to extra-strength options—and even daytime formats for stress and mood—Snoozy is a standout in the evolving space of functional cannabis and sleep support.

TEN PM – OAT & CHERRY BARS

Designed with sleep in mind, Ten PM's Oat & Cherry Bars are a smart, functional snack for the evening hours. Combining slow-releasing oats with Montmorency tart cherries—a natural source of melatonin — these bars support a healthy bedtime routine without relying on synthetic supplements. They're free from added sugar, gluten, and dairy, making them a gentle, gut-friendly choice for those seeking a calming, nutrient-rich pre-sleep bite. Convenient and portable, Ten PM taps into the growing demand for foods that fit seamlessly into wind-down rituals, offering a natural approach to better rest through food, not pharmacy.