Insomnia is a condition characterized by difficult falling asleep, either in terms of sleep onset, sleep maintenance or early waking. The condition is common among adolescents and adults. Although insomnia is not a serious medical condition but it can greatly affect the one’s work and social life.
Many factors can contribute to the development of insomnia, including the foods we eat. The following are some foods that may cause you to have insomnia. If you’re experiencing insomnia, be sure to avoid these types of foods, especially at night.
- Caffeine drinks
Caffeine drinks likecoffee, tea, and cola are stimulant. They enter our blood stream and activate neurological movement. So avoid consuming caffeine drinks at the night. - Cheese
Cheesecontains a lot of tyrosine, an amino acid that is used to produce dopamine. Dopamine plays a very important role in the brain. It makes brains more active and cause difficulty to sleep. - Spicy foods
Eating too much spicy foods can result in gastrointestinal discomfort which is a leading cause of If you’re suffering from acid reflux then you should never eat spicy foods at night. - Processed meats
Like the cheese, processed meats contain tyrosine, thus increasing brain activity at night. Additionally, processed meat is the unhealthy junk food that can lead to gastro problems. - Alcohol
While drinking alcohol may make you feel sleepy, but you’re likely to sleep restlessly and wake up frequently in themiddle of the night. If you already suffer from insomnia, you should avoid consuming alcohol at the night. - Sugary foods
Sugary foods like cakes, chocolates, and desserts, can cause a spike in glucose levels. This increases energy, which in turn keep you energetic. - Chocolate
Since chocolate has caffeine, it is another food that you should avoid to prevent
Besides caffeine, chocolate also contains other stimulants amino acids like tyramine and phenylethylamine which can elevate your energy levels. - High protein foods
High protein foods take longer for the body to digest and thus it can disrupt your sleep.
In addition, protein-rich foods release amino acids into the blood. When amino acids such as tyrosine flood the body, they are quickly used to produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that keeps the brain active.
- MSG
MSG (Monosodium glutamate) is a common ingredient used in Chinese cooking. This compound is a potent stimulant and can keep you awake late in the night. - Ginseng
As a stimulant,ginsenghas been reported to cause insomnia when taken in high doses. Some evidences also suggest that if the herb is taken along with caffeine may worsen the condition. So don’t taking the herb if you’re suffering from insomnia.
