Sleep and nutrition are two elements that determine a person’s overall health.
While sleep isn’t rocket science, it sure is a challenge to get a good night’s rest on a regular basis. And when it comes to eating, avoiding certain foods can be tricky. In this blog post, Dr. Lisa M. Cannon shares her thoughts on the connection between diet and sleep.
Diet and sleep go together, affecting one another in many different ways. At first, some people may find alcohol beneficial to their sleep. As alcohol begins to wear off, it can disrupt a person’s sleep, waking them up during restorative and crucial phases of their shuteye. Consuming alcohol may also worsen sleep apnea symptoms. Regular alcohol consumption increases a person’s risk of sleepwalking and sleep talking, and may even lead to the development of memory issues.
One of the common causes of heartburn is eating spicy foods. When a person lies down, acid reflux may worsen. In addition, red pepper may increase the body’s core temperature which should be dropping when a person sets to sleep. It would be best to consume foods that are spicy and acidic three hours before heading to bed. This can prevent heartburn and acid reflux during bedtime.
According to Dr. Lisa M. Cannon, eating breakfast keeps the circadian rhythm in check. To establish better sleep-wake cycle, eat breakfast. Avoid indulging late at night. The body is not ready to digest heavy meals consumed a few hours before bed. Make dinner light to aid sleep schedule. Cut down on caffeine and nicotine for a restful shuteye.
Dr. Lisa M. Cannon is a board-certified physician residing in New Jersey. For more than 15 years, she has been specializing in critical care, pulmonary medicine, and sleep medicine. Follow her on Twitter for quick updates.
Dr. Lisa Marie Cannon 