Ketchup is an acidic food. For foods containing ketchup, such as pasta, it is best to consume them a few hours before bedtime, as ketchup can easily cause acid reflux and heartburn, interfering with sleep.
Killer of Sleep 1: Caffeine
Caffeine is a xanthine alkaloid compound and a central nervous system stimulant that can temporarily drive away sleepiness and restore energy. Thus, caffeine can refresh the mind. However, Dr. Doudas, a nutrition expert, points out that what is less well-known is that caffeine does not provide energy to the body; it is merely a stimulant. Therefore, consuming excessive caffeine before bedtime will overstimulate the brain's nerves, making it difficult to fall asleep.
Killer of Sleep 2: Cheese
Cheese, also known as cheese or curd, is rich in protein and lipids. Cheese is highly nutritious, and its rich inorganic salts, vitamins, and other trace elements are very beneficial to human health. However, it contains a large amount of the amino acid tyramine, which has a stimulating effect. Therefore, Dr. Doudas recommends avoiding cheese before bedtime.
Killer of Sleep 3: Spicy Food
Spicy foods include fried foods, chili, Sichuan pepper, garlic, mustard, pepper, ginger, etc. Eating spicy foods like spicy steamed pork with rice noodles or spicy chicken wings for dinner or before bed can more easily cause heartburn (acid reflux) when lying down, making it difficult to create a sleep-conducive atmosphere. If you particularly love spicy foods, it is recommended to eat them in the morning or earlier in the day.
Killer of Sleep 4: Processed or Smoked Meats
Dr. Cynthia Pasquera, a nutrition expert, states that processed meats contain a large amount of tyramine, which can cause the brain to release a chemical that keeps it alert. At the same time, other experts also point out that processed meats contain large amounts of tyrosine, which can cause the brain to produce exciting dopamine. In addition to disrupting sleep, processed or smoked meats are also the least healthy junk food.
Killer of Sleep 5: Alcohol
Alcohol has a sedative effect, but strangely, it can make you more awake at night. Dr. Pasquera states that many people drink alcohol to relax and relieve fatigue, but in fact, alcohol interferes with the body's ability to enter the REM (rapid eye movement) deep sleep stage. Because of this, many people fall asleep soundly after drinking, but still feel groggy the next day. In fact, this is equivalent to reducing sleep quality.
Killer of Sleep 6: Milk Chocolate
Research shows that the nutritional components of milk chocolate can promote the release of monosaccharides to improve blood circulation, which helps to improve cognitive ability. In other words, it keeps the brain in a relatively alert state. Dr. Pasquera states that milk chocolate generally contains tyrosine, a stimulant that can be converted into dopamine. This can lead to alertness and restlessness, making it difficult to fall asleep.
Killer of Sleep 7: Ketchup
The tomato in ketchup contains vitamin C, which has the effects of promoting saliva to quench thirst, strengthening the stomach to aid digestion, cooling the blood to calm the liver, clearing heat and detoxifying, and lowering blood pressure. It is especially beneficial as an adjuvant treatment for hypertension and kidney patients. However, it is an acidic food. For foods containing ketchup, such as pasta, it is best to consume them a few hours before bedtime, as ketchup can easily cause acid reflux and heartburn, interfering with sleep.
Killer of Sleep 8: Ginseng Tea
Some herbal teas can help with sleep, but they must not contain ginseng. Ginseng is a stimulant. Ginseng tea is a health-preserving tea made from fresh leaves of cultivated ginseng, processed by methods similar to green tea, such as fixation, rolling, and drying. It has effects such as anti-fatigue, sedation, and aphrodisiac. However, some people may experience insomnia and high blood pressure after drinking ginseng tea. Pasquera recommends that these people should not drink ginseng tea within a few hours before bedtime.
Killer of Sleep 9: Soybeans
Soybeans are the most nutritious variety among legumes, ranking first among a hundred natural foods. Most seasonings such as soy sauce, tofu, miso, and barbecue sauce are fermented soy products, which contain large amounts of tyramine. Similar to the processed and smoked meats mentioned above, try not to consume them within a few hours before bedtime to avoid stimulating the brain and making it difficult to fall asleep due to being too greasy.