Insomnia is terribly distressing. Tossing and turning in bed without being able to sleep leads to mental fatigue and a decline in physical health. Insomnia can have psychological causes, but dietary factors are also involved. It is said that you should avoid five types of food before bedtime, otherwise you definitely won't be able to sleep at night.
1. Foods that cause bloating
How can you sleep with a bloated stomach? Therefore, be sure not to eat gas-inducing foods for dinner, such as beans, cabbage, onions, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, eggplant, potatoes, sweet potatoes, taro, corn, bananas, bread, citrus fruits, grapefruits, and beverages and desserts containing sorbitol.
2. Beverages or foods containing caffeine
Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, causing breathing and heart rate to accelerate and blood pressure to rise. It also reduces the secretion of melatonin, a hormone secreted by the brain's pineal gland that has a hypnotic effect.
A cup of coffee or tea in the morning, or a can of cola in the afternoon, might help you perk up from sleepiness. However, for some people who are sensitive to caffeine, even just a cup of hot cocoa in the afternoon can be enough to keep them wide-eyed and tossing and turning at midnight.
3. Greasy foods
Eating too much at night, or consuming a lot of high-fat foods, will prolong the stomach's digestion time, leading to a poor night's sleep.
Schedule your biggest meal for breakfast or lunch, and eat a lighter, smaller dinner. It's best to choose some low-fat but protein-rich foods, such as fish, chicken, or lean meat. Another benefit of this eating habit is avoiding weight gain.
4. Spicy foods
Such foods are irresistible to those who love spicy food, but eating them can cause heartburn and indigestion, which in turn disrupts sleep. Would you still risk trying them?
5. Alcohol
Some people become more alert after drinking, making their brain cells unusually active. In fact, according to experts, many people try to relax and unwind by drinking alcohol, but alcohol prevents the body from entering deep sleep. Although people may fall into a deep sleep after drinking, they still wake up the next day with splitting headaches and a groggy feeling.