Journalism of Courage
What you eat before bed can directly affect how quickly you fall asleep, how deeply you rest, and how often you wake up at night. Certain foods interfere with digestion, spike blood sugar, or overstimulate the brain, leading to poor sleep quality. Here are six foods (and drinks) to avoid before bedtime to help you sleep better. (Source: Photo by unsplash)
Caffeinated Drinks: Coffee, tea, cola, and energy drinks delay melatonin production and keep your brain alert long after bedtime. (Source: Photo by unsplash)
Acidic Foods: Citrus fruits, tomatoes, and tomato based sauces can irritate the digestive tract and worsen acid reflux when lying down. (Source: Photo by unsplash)
Spicy Food: Spices raise body temperature and may trigger reflux or heartburn, leading to restless sleep and night time awakenings. (Source: Photo by unsplash)
Greasy Foods: Fried snacks, burgers, and heavy meals slow down digestion and can cause indigestion or acid reflux, making it harder to fall asleep comfortably. (Source: Photo by unsplash)
Sugary or High Carb Snacks: Sweets cause a rapid spike and crash in blood sugar levels, which can disrupt your sleep cycle and cause early awakenings. (Source: Photo by unsplash)
Excessive Water Intake before Bed: Drinking too much water close to bedtime increases the urge to urinate at night (nocturia), interrupting deep sleep. Sleep research highlights avoiding high fluid intake 1 to 2 hours before sleeping for better rest. (Source: Photo by unsplash)
