Trends: A sweet way to fall asleep

Stressed by the credit crunch? Can't even grab 40 winks to dream away the anxiety? Well, here's a tip: sink your teeth into a choccie bar.

Gaba chocolate from Japanese company Ezaki Glico ( www.gdex.jp) not only offers the usual feel-good sensation associated with scoffing chocolate, it also boasts the stress-reducing amino acid Gamma-aminobutyric to make you snoozy.

Gum company Lotte, meanwhile, has developed Relax gum ( www.jbox.com), which has added theanine – an amino acid that combats stress and promotes relaxation (it's found naturally in green tea).

And Dreamerz ( www.dreamerz.com) in the US is selling bed-time products that contain the relaxant lactium and a small amount of the hormone melatonin to help provide a good night's shuteye.

Thanks to thefuturelaboratory.com