Diet and Sleep

Most people think that sleep and diet are closely linked with each other and it is true. Some natural chemicals in the can body promote sleep as do some diet. If tea, coffee, cola drinks, or chocolate is eaten before sleep, it may keep you awake by supplying caffeine to your body system.

What are the causes of insomnia?

Insomnia is the inability to sleep. It may be caused by anxiety, depression and stress particularly if you have something important to do or to complete and the deadline is approaching, or examination is around the corner. Your brain becomes more active and as such the body releases many chemicals that can make your eyes wide open even when it is already way past midnight.

Yes, obesity too can cause insomnia to a certain extent. This is because the structure of the body of an obese people making breathing difficult and increases the likelihood of getting disruptive snoring which eventually leads to sleep apnoea.

Restless legs can also affect your sleeping pattern. Restless leg is regarded as the periodic involuntary movements, particularly when lying in bed. According to many naturopaths, this can be rooted to iron deficiency and therefore high-level iron food is recommended which includes pulses, dried apricots, dark green leafy vegetables and nuts (almonds).

How food can help sleep?

The secret is neither to keep your stomach empty nor keeping it over-full. An empty stomach leaves the digestive lining scratching each other and of course it hurts when you want to sleep. Yet, a full stomach makes your digestive system works hard to digest the food and this requires much energy and sometimes leads to indigestion, heartburn, or flatulence (the presence of gas in the stomach). Rich or spicy food also can make sleeping harder.

Food for sleep;

1. Milk: a sweetened milk drink at bedtime can encourage better sleep because the sugars can enhance the absorption of more tryptophan that is derived from milk protein. The brain then converts tryptophan to a soothing chemical called serotonin.
2. Starchy foods: Just as milk, starchy food also triggers the release of serotonin. This promotes sleep. Examples are bread and pasta.
3. Honey: stir a little honey in warm milk or chamomile tea.
4. Herbal tea: Chamomile tea, lime blossom and valerian are said to be most effective.

Decrease the intake of caffeine which is found in coffee, tea, cola drinks and chocolate.

Avoid: late-night meals that are greasy, spicy, rich or heavy.

Reminder: Don’t forget to routinely brush your teeth after eating (or drinking) as the residues may cause tooth caries.

Source: Reader’s Digest, Foods that Harm, Foods that Heal.