Is YOUR dinner keeping you up at night? Experts reveal the foods that cause insomnia (and what you should eat to nod off)
- Diet rich in spicy dishes, caffeine and high-protein foods keep us awake
- People believe drinking coffee before bed helps them nod off
- Experts share the foods you should eat for a good night's sleep
Struggling to nod off at night? It could all be down to what you're having for dinner.
Experts say a late-night diet rich in spicy dishes, caffeine and high-protein foods are keeping us awake at night.
A study of 2,000 adults about the connection between their diet and quality of sleep found that one in five think spicy foods like curry will help them to get a good night's rest.
Is YOUR dinner keeping you up at night? Experts have revealed the foods that cause insomnia (and what you should eat to nod off)
Over one in ten believe a cup of caffeinated coffee helps them to nod off, while almost half of Brits also reported that they regularly enjoy a boozy nightcap.
This onslaught of sugar and stimulants mean the average adult manages just six hours and 28 minutes of shut-eye a night, and misses out on six hours and 10 minutes of sleep each week.
Turbulent thoughts are the most common cause of a sleepless night, with 53 per cent of Brits unable to stop their mind racing when the lights go out, and a quarter are kept up by soaring stress levels.
A fifth of Brits are snorers, 13 per cent suffer from leg cramps in the night, and one in 10 are kept up by their insomnia, the study by high-tech mattress Simba Sleep found.
Sammy Margo, sleep expert and author of The Good Sleep Guide, said: 'Although many of us understand the importance of nutrition during the day, this research clearly shows few of us are aware that certain foods can help to promote a more restful sleep.
'Lying down after eating a spice-laden meal can result in heartburn and a restless night. Fatty foods high in protein, like steak, digest slowly and may disturb our Circadian rhythm.
'Plus, whilst a nightcap can make you feel drowsy, excessive alcohol prevents you from getting into the deeper stages of sleep, and may make you feel groggy the next day.'
Just 11 per cent of Brits have tried modifying their diet to see how it improves their quality of sleep.
Of those actively attempting to improve their sleep health through diet, a calming cup of chamomile tea is their sleep aid of choice, followed by a glass of hot milk or some wine.
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