Get A Good Night’s Sleep By Avoiding These Four Foods Before Bedtime

Food gives the body fuel to convert into energy. Some food types can energize you, and some can make you drowsy. Some foods contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps you get a deep sleep.

Experts say that carbohydrates can make tryptophan more accessible to the brain. This is why meals that are considered carbohydrate-heavy can make you sleepy. Proteins from the foods you eat, on the other hand, serve as tryptophan building blocks.

Some Foods Make You Stay Awake

Some foods and drinks energize your body to the point that your drowsiness may disappear. No matter how tired you may feel, your brain activity is so vibrant that you sleeping may seem very difficult.

Although it is possible to force yourself to sleep, you might wake up in the middle of the night and unable to sleep again. As a result, you may not be in your top form the next day. To prevent experiencing sleep deprivation, there are some foods that you should not eat before bedtime.

Chocolate

It is certainly not good news for those with a sweet tooth, but research has shown chocolates are loaded with sugar that can negatively impact sleep quality. Findings of research published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine revealed that those who consume more sugar before bedtime are less likely to fall into a deep sleep. Researchers also said that, based on their study, most of the participants who consumed chocolate before bedtime are more prone to waking up several times throughout the entire night.

Pizza

The ingredients of pizza make it one of the foods you should avoid before bedtime. The main pizza ingredients, which are cheese and tomato sauce, are a perfect combination that increases your chances of heartburn. Tomato sauce is very acidic, while cheese is rich in fat. This combination is often pointed to as among the major causes of heartburn, which in turn prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep.

To prevent having heartburn while asleep, health experts recommend consuming your biggest meal either during breakfast or lunch. You also need to stop eating at least three hours before going to bed.

Ice cream

This delicious treat may be perfect during hot summer days but may not be the best food to eat before sleeping. Dairy contains a lot of fat, and even ice cream that claims to be low-fat can have high sugar content. If you eat ice cream before bedtime, you can expect to have difficulty in sleeping.

Hot pepper

This food ingredient may make your dish taste great, but eating such before your bedtime may not be the wisest choice. Spices such as cayenne get the blood flowing and increase the temperature of your body. This is exactly the opposite of what you want to happen to your body when trying to get some sleep. There are even studies where participants claim to have experienced surreal dreams and even nightmares after consuming spicy foods before bedtime.

The Importance of Sleep

Getting sufficient amounts of sleep is very important for your health. A good night’s sleep lowers your risk of developing various chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It also helps boost your immune system.

When trying to get a night of good sleep, create a calm bedroom environment. Avoid consuming food at least three hours before you sleep. You should also turn off your TV and phones an hour before going to bed to ensure these gadgets will not distract you.