Introduction
Many people enjoy snacking before bed. This is normal behavior that many people partake in, whether they ate dinner earlier than usual or like to snack on something while watching television.
Especially, after eating spicy food, it may be difficult for you to go asleep. This article will provide you with additional information on the subject.
Does Eating Spicy Food Affect Sleep?
There’s nothing quite like a good night’s sleep. You wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day. But what if you could sleep even better?
So if you’re looking for a way to get a better night’s sleep, try adding some spice to your dinner. You just might find that you sleep even better than before.
The jury is still out on whether or not eating spicy food affects sleep. Some say that it does, while others claim that it doesn’t. However, there is some evidence to suggest that consuming spicy dishes may make it more difficult to fall asleep.
The authors of the study hypothesized that this was due to the fact that consuming spicy food might cause your body temperature to rise, which, in turn, makes it more difficult for you to rest at night.
This notion has been backed by additional studies, one of which was a review conducted in 2008 of the association between insomnia and body temperature. (Source: Pubmed)
There are some reasons that eating spicy food will make it hard to sleep:
- The capsaicin in spicy food can cause dilation of blood vessels
- Spicy food can trigger a release of histamine, which can cause drowsiness.
- Eating spicy food can raise your body temperature, which can make you feel sleepy.
- Spicy food can cause indigestion, which can lead to feelings of discomfort and fatigue.
10 Ways To Sleep After Eating Spicy Food
Limit The Amount Of Spicy Food
If you’re looking to add a little bit of spice to your life, try to eat spicy food in a small amount. Just a little bit of heat can add a lot of flavor to your meal, and it can also give you a bit of an adrenaline rush. So if you’re feeling adventurous, go ahead and give it a try!
Drink More Fluids
If you want to sleep well after eating spicy food, make sure to drink lots of fluids. This will help to keep your body hydrated and prevent spicy food from irritating your stomach.
Water is always a good choice, but you could also try milk or herbal tea. This is especially important when you are sick. Drink lots of fluids to help thin out the mucus in your chest and make it easier to cough up.
Avoid Caffeine
Caffeine can keep you up at night, which is the last thing you want after eating spicy food. Spicy food can cause indigestion, and caffeine will only make that worse. So avoid caffeine if you want to sleep after eating spicy food.
Eat A Light Evening Meal
If you want to sleep well after eating spicy food, it’s best to have a light evening meal. That way, your stomach won’t be too full and you’ll be able to sleep comfortably. This will help you avoid indigestion and allow you to get a good night’s sleep.
Take A Bath Or Shower
If you’re looking for a way to cool down after eating spicy food, taking a bath or shower may be a good option. The water can help to soothe your skin if it’s feeling irritated, and the heat can help to relax your muscles.
Use A Humidifier
If you’ve ever eaten something spicy and then tried to sleep, you know how uncomfortable it can be. Your throat feels like it’s on fire and you can’t get comfortable no matter how you position yourself.
A humidifier can help ease the discomfort by adding moisture to the air and keeping your throat from drying out.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
If you want to avoid waking up in the middle of the night with heartburn, it’s important to wear loose, comfortable clothing to bed after eating spicy food.
Wearing tight clothing can put pressure on your stomach and make heartburn worse. So make sure to change into something loose and comfortable before you hit the hay.
Over-the-counter Medications
If you ate something spicy and it’s giving you heartburn, try an over-the-counter antacid like Tums or Maalox. If you’re still having trouble sleeping, try an over-the-counter medication like Zantac or Pepcid.
There are many over-the-counter medications that can help you sleep after eating spicy food. Some of these include antihistamines, antacids, and antispasmodics.
5 Other Foods Are Not Good For Sleep
There are a few other foods that can have an effect on your sleep, but they are not nearly as common as the ones listed above. Some of these foods include:
- Coffee: Caffeine is a stimulant, and as such, it can make it harder to fall asleep If you’re struggling to get a good night’s rest, it might be best to avoid coffee after lunchtime.
- Alcohol: Although a glass of wine may help you relax, too much alcohol can actually disrupt your sleep.
- Sugary food: Eating sugary food can give you a temporary energy boost, but it can also cause an energy crash, later on, making it hard to sleep.
- Heavy food: Eating a heavy meal can make you feel uncomfortable and full, making it hard to sleep.
Conclusion
Foods that are hot and spicy not only add flavor but also have other benefits, such as speeding up the body’s fat-burning processes and reducing the intensity of aches and pains.
However, doing too much of anything can have negative implications, and the same is true in this situation as it is in others. We have high hopes that the content that was just linked would be of use to you.
