2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Unzela Khan)
With the festive season in full flow, you might be a bit lax with your diet and are probably finding yourself indulging in drinks and sweet treats. However, a sleep expert has explained how certain foods can have an impact on your sleep and could be the reason you're waking up more often in the night. Dr Sophie Bostock, resident Sleep Expert at Bensons for Beds highlights what foods you need to avoid to make sure you have a better sleep.
These include fatty, sugary and spicy foods with three culprits - paprika-laden bratwurst to sugary mince pies and mugs of mulled wine, these seasonal staples could wreak havoc on your sleep . Dr Bostock explains: “Foods that are low in fibre and high in sugar, fat, and spices, may affect your ability to fall and stay asleep. Spicy foods can cause indigestion, while sugary treats spike your blood sugar, which could lead to restless sleep later.
"High-fat content, which is common in some Christmas market snacks, slows digestion, potentially triggering discomfort that can keep you awake. "Experiments found that evening meals containing more fats and sugar are followed by lighter, disrupted sleep. Over time, this can become a vicious cycle.
"Sleep deprivation sends our brain into survival mode—we’re more likely to crave junk food when we’re tired, and we produce more grehlin (the ‘hungry’ hormone) and less leptin (the ‘full’ hormone). Meanwhile, a recent study found that ultra-processed foods are linked with an increased risk of insomnia.” Examples of other seasonal foods that may wreak havoc on your sleep: Mince pies Eggnog Halloumi fries Camembert Sausage rolls Crepes Churros Chocolate fondue Christmas pudding Yule log Bratwurst Gingerbread Mac n’ cheese Yorkshire pudding Cheese straw.
