Nowadays, many people are troubled by insomnia, so the "Goodnight Milk" recently launched by several dairy companies has attracted much attention. Some companies use biotechnology to increase the melatonin content in milk, while others add functional ingredients such as active peptides and gamma aminobutyric acid to milk, claiming to improve sleep quality. So, can 'Goodnight Milk' really help with sleep? Recently, a certain brand of "Goodnight Milk" has become a market focus due to its claim of containing "10 times+native melatonin". Related companies claim that the product adjusts the feeding method of cows through patented technology and increases the melatonin content in milk. Some consumers wrote on social media that after drinking this milk, they seem to be able to say "goodnight" faster. According to the public information of the China National Intellectual Property Administration, the relevant patented technology mainly increases the content of melatonin in milk by adjusting the light cycle and feed ratio of cows. The specific method is to expose lactating cows to light (with a light intensity of 500 lux to 600 lux) for 11 hours a day, in a dark environment for 13 hours, and allow them to milk between 1:50 am and 2:10 am; Ensure that cow feed contains 18% -22% soybeans, 9% -10% rice bran, and 8% -12% soybean meal to increase its tryptophan intake and promote melatonin synthesis. Although the relevant patented technology enables the melatonin content in milk to reach 12500 picograms per box (i.e. 0.0000125 milligrams per box), which is more than 10 times that of ordinary milk of the same specification. However, this value differs significantly from the clinically recommended melatonin sleep aid dose (0.1 milligrams to 0.3 milligrams). Zheng Huifen, director of the neurology department at a provincial government hospital in Jiangsu Province, believes that the melatonin content in "Goodnight Milk" is extremely low, with 12500 picograms of melatonin almost negligible and unable to achieve clinical treatment effects. According to the minimum effective dose of 0.1 milligrams, consumers need to drink 8000 boxes of "Goodnight Milk" at once to achieve the effect of sleep aid. Ruan Guangfeng, Director of the Science and Technology Communication Department of Kexin Food and Health Information Exchange Center, pointed out that melatonin is mainly suitable for regulating time difference or people with insufficient endogenous secretion, and has limited effects on insomnia caused by factors such as stress and environment. Some consumers feel that their sleep improves after drinking "goodnight milk", which may be the result of psychological suggestion. Another type of "Goodnight Milk" with added active peptides is said to contain special peptide substances extracted from milk. Taking a certain brand of A2 β - casein "Goodnight Milk" as an example, it contains 500 milligrams of casein hydrolysate peptide. The reporter found through research that although animal experiments have shown that such substances may have a sleep regulating effect, clinical trial data on humans is still lacking. Research has shown that A2 β - casein can reduce gastrointestinal discomfort in lactose intolerant individuals, but there is no direct evidence to suggest that it has a sleep aid effect. A more complex one is the compound formula "Goodnight Milk". A certain "Goodnight Milk" contains both gamma aminobutyric acid and theanine. Data shows that gamma aminobutyric acid helps to inhibit neural excitation, while theanine can promote the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as dopamine in the brain, which can alleviate stress and tension. The merchant claims that this combination can improve sleep through a dual approach. However, relevant experts point out that the oral bioavailability of gamma aminobutyric acid may only be 20% to 30%, and the sleep aid effect of theanine is still controversial in the scientific community. The official account of "Science Refusal", a platform of Science Popularization China, once reported that there was no evidence that theanine could improve sleep. Industry experts say that true "goodnight" should not be packed into a milk carton, and establishing healthy sleep habits is the fundamental way to get rid of insomnia. A regular sleep schedule, suitable sleeping environment, and moderate exercise are all more reliable than relying on some kind of "miracle food". (New Society)