Top 10 Foods That Cause Insomnia

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.

1. Caffeine Drinks

Caffeine drinks like coffee, tea, and cola are stimulant. They enter our blood stream and activate neurological movement. So avoid consuming caffeine drinks at the night.

2. Cheese

Cheese contains 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.

3. Spicy Foods

Eating too much spicy foods can result in gastrointestinal discomfort which is a leading cause of insomnia. If you’re suffering from acid reflux then you should never eat spicy foods at night.

4. 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.

5. Alcohol

While drinking alcohol may make you feel sleepy, but you’re likely to sleep restlessly and wake up frequently in the middle of the night. If you already suffer from insomnia, you should avoid consuming alcohol at the night.

6. 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.

7. Chocolate

Since chocolate has caffeine, it is another food that you should avoid to prevent insomnia.
Besides caffeine, chocolate also contains other stimulants amino acids like tyramine and phenylethylamine which can elevate your energy levels.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Ginseng

As a stimulant, ginseng has 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.

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