I am frequently asked, "Are there foods that affect insomnia in a negative way?"

Yes, and here are a few of the most common ones:

  • Caffeinated foods and drinks such as coffee, many soft drinks, tea, and chocolate. Caffeine can remain in the system up to 12 hours after consumption, so if you must ingest any of these, it is better to do so as early in the day as possible.
  • Alcohol. While it may initially make you sleepy, it creates more frequent sleep disturbance and a less restful sleep.
  • Highly salted foods. Found frequently in processed foods and ready meals, soups, highly processed meats, and many types of bread. The high sodium content elevates blood pressure and causes dehydration, which can interrupt sleep.
  • Spicy foods. These aggravate the GI tract; can cause gastrointestinal ulcers and acid reflux. GI discomfort is one of the main causes of insomnia. According to a recent poll, 1 in 4 of insomniacs with unknown cause are experiencing acid reflux that is keeping them awake unknowingly.

It is also suggested to eat early (last meal should be at least 3 hours before bed) and preferable to have six small meals rather than three larger meals. Also avoid liquids at least 3 hours before bedtime.

Too few hours of sleep can compromise your immune system leading to increased risk of colds and other flu virus.

What about if you get vaccinated against the flu viruses? Are you protected? Are you safe from getting the flu? A lack of adequate sleep can slow down your body’s response to fight infection even after you’ve been immunized. 

If you've noticed a decrease in energy levels, it could be due to a lack of adequate sleep. Less sleep means less energy, and we get less accomplished due to fatigue. Having more energy means you can accomplish more and think more clearly.

So you think fresh fruit and vegetables are great for your health? Perhaps not. There are many food additives that are actually harmful and can lead to insomnia, restlessness, anxiety and many other problems. And some of them are used on fresh fruit and vegetables. But that's not all. There are a range of food additives that have been isolated that can cause insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, depression, wakefulness, irritability etc.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the grocery store: Foods That Affect Insomnia In A Negative Way

So here are some examples of nasty food additives to avoid if you're having difficulties sleeping, waking in the middle of the night, waking too early, feeling anxious, overly tired, depressed, stressed, etc:

  1. The common bread preservative (or mould inhibitor) 282. Calcium propionate (282)'s symptoms (from eating quantities of bread) can include difficulty getting to sleep, night walking, night terrors, unexplained tiredness, depression, irritability, growing pains, bed wetting, nasal congestion and restlessness;
  2. Wakefulness, depression, restlessness, irritability (320 BHA Buylated Hydroxyanisole antioxidant - banned in Japan and may be unlisted in products containing less than 5% vegetable oils);
  3. Salicylates. There's a factsheet on salicylates that includes information relevant to tinnitus, reversible hearing loss, vertigo, symptoms of Meniere's Disease, insomnia, changes in children's behavior. Of particular interest here is the information on how 'good old fruit and vegetables' are not always good at all. Find out about low salicylate fruit and vegetables vs. high salicylate fruit and vegetables, and how to control your intake;
  4. Wakefulness in young children (102 Tartrazine colouring and 110 Sunset Yellow colouring);
  5. 621 Monosodium Glutamate flavor enhancer MSG. Restlessness, wakefulness and irritability; and
  6. 951 Aspartame artificial sweetener - banned for US air pilots. Mood alteration (anxiety, agitation, irritability, depression), insomnia, fatigue.

It's also very unfortunate that some nasty food additives do not have to be declared on the product labels - so you will need to investigate further to find out exactly which breads are the ones that don't have the food additive that in linked with depression, etc.

By the way, would you like to find out more about which are the foods that affect insomnia in a negative way?

More Healing Articles By Mokie:

  1. The Effects Of Aging On Insomnia
  2. How To Stop Your Hyperthyroidism From Causing Insomnia
  3. Is GERD Contributing To Your Insomnia?
  4. How Insomnia Puts You At Risk Of Diabetes
  5. Strategies And Remedies For Insomnia
  6. Foods That Affect Insomnia In A Negative Way
  7. Foods That Affect Insomnia In A Positive Way
  8. How Does Insomnia Affect Mental And Emotional States?
  9. Who Is Most At Risk Of Insomnia?
  10. Signs And Symptoms Of Insomnia
  11. Home

By the way, would you like to find out more about which are the foods that affect insomnia in a negative way?

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