Did you know there are foods you shouldn’t eat before bedtime if you want a good night’s sleep?

Difficulty falling asleep, waking up in the middle of the night—insomnia problems are widespread and sometimes depend on eating habits that can negatively influence the sleep-wake cycle, worsening the quality and duration of rest. Quality sleep plays a fundamental role in both psycho-physical well-being and overall health.

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When you get little and poor-quality sleep, the body, for example, increases the production of hormones that promote overweight and heighten health risks, including ghrelin.

At the same time, the immune system weakens, and free radicals that promote premature aging increase.

To combat insomnia, it is crucial to avoid or at least limit the consumption of certain foods, especially for dinner or an evening snack. Here are the foods to avoid before going to bed.

5 Foods Not to Eat Before Sleeping

Cheeses and Cold Cuts

Cheeses, especially aged ones, and cold cuts are high in sodium, which stimulates thirst and can promote awakenings during the night. They also contain tyramine, which could make falling asleep more difficult.

Burgers and Fried Foods

Foods like burgers, french fries, and other typical fast food items provide a significant amount of saturated fats that slow down the digestive processes and make rest difficult.

Chocolate

If you suffer from insomnia, it’s best to avoid chocolate in the afternoon and evening hours. It contains theobromine, a compound that activates the nervous system. Additionally, thanks to the presence of phenylethylamine, which promotes increased production of dopamine and norepinephrine, it could stimulate wakefulness.

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This article first appeared on Grazia.it – Author: Angela Altomare