{"id":2117,"date":"2021-11-08T06:10:59","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T06:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bedguard.com.au\/?p=2117"},"modified":"2021-11-08T06:10:59","modified_gmt":"2021-11-08T06:10:59","slug":"the-link-between-food-and-sleep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bedguard.com.au\/backup\/the-link-between-food-and-sleep\/","title":{"rendered":"The link between food and sleep"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re having trouble sleeping well, what you eat during the day and in the lead up to your bedtime may be to blame. Find out how food and sleep are linked.<\/p>\n

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What is the link between food and sleep?<\/h2>\n

Just as there are some foods that give you energy and leave you feeling lethargic, food and sleep also go hand in hand.<\/p>\n

Scientific research seems to indicate that consuming a wide range of vitamins and minerals is important for sleep. Sleep deficiencies seem to occur when there is a deficiency in some key nutrients \u2014 in particular calcium, magnesium and vitamins A, C, D, E and K.<\/p>\n

When it comes to providing optimal nutrition, research has shown that the Mediterranean Diet, which is high in plant food while incorporating lean meat and high-fibre foods improves not only heart health but sleep quality<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Diets that focus on whole foods and reduced salt and saturated fats have also been shown to improve sleep.<\/p>\n

How does sleep affect your nutrition?<\/h2>\n

Just as food can affect your sleep, so too can sleep affect your nutritional intake. Research has shown that people who don\u2019t get enough sleep are more likely to be overweight or obese<\/a>. They are also more likely to choose foods that are high in calories, fat, carbohydrates and sugar \u2014 foods that don\u2019t nourish the body.<\/p>\n

This is due to two hunger hormones called ghrelin and leptin, that regulate hunger and fullness. Ghrelin signals hunger to the brain, while leptin suppresses hunger and signals fullness to the brain. When you don\u2019t get enough sleep, levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin increase, while levels of leptin decrease.<\/p>\n

In addition, sleep deprivation dulls activity in the front part of your brain which is in charge of decision-making and self-control. So, lack of sleep actually means you\u2019re more likely to make poor food choices.<\/p>\n

Foods that can help you sleep<\/h2>\n

While there is no one food that is a magic bullet when it comes to good sleep, there are some foods that have been shown to be beneficial in improving sleep. These include:<\/p>\n