(WineSpectator) - For most people, a glass of wine before bed sounds like a luxurious nighttime ritual—it's delicious and it gets you in the mindset for relaxation. Anyone who's had a few drinks before hitting the hay can tell you about alcohol's power to put you to bed, but its effects don't end once you shut your eyes. Is that nightcap a good or bad idea?

Here, Wine Spectator rounds up the latest scientific research to break down what wine lovers need to know about alcohol and sleep.

Wine Can Help You Fall Asleep …

Tossing and turning? Whether it's stress from work, the latest binge-worthy show or a chronic condition that's keeping you up at night, you're not alone. About 70 million Americans have some sort of trouble sleeping, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. For many, alcohol is an accessible, and often appealing, option for relief.