Having Trouble Sleeping? Late-Night Snacks Could Be the Cause

May 5, 2024 TruthUSA

Sleep and blood sugar are closely connected—imbalances in the latter can result in disrupted sleep, nightmares, night sweats, and frequent urination.

If you’re struggling with sleep, your dinner choices or late-night snacks could be affecting it.

A systematic review of 23 reports published in January 2024 suggested that following a Mediterranean diet may support healthy sleep. However, the reasons might be simpler than just the diet itself. Researchers noted that various factors, including the overall healthy lifestyle associated with the Mediterranean diet, play a role in promoting better sleep quality.

One constant factor is the absence of refined sugar in a proper Mediterranean diet.

The relationship between sleep and blood sugar levels is significant. The brain regulates glucose levels in the blood at all times. When blood sugar levels fluctuate too much, it can lead to disturbances in sleep patterns. It’s not surprising that the Mediterranean diet, known for its low simple sugar and processed food content, is considered beneficial for sleep quality.

Connection Between Sugar and Sleep

A diet rich in sugar and refined carbs can negatively impact your sleep in various ways. Consuming high sugar content throughout the day or before bed leads to spikes in blood glucose levels. The subsequent crash in blood sugar levels can disrupt sleep, as the body tries to balance hormones like insulin and cortisol, potentially causing wakefulness during the night.

A drop in blood sugar levels during sleep, especially after consuming sugar or carbs before bed, can result in nocturnal hypoglycemia, which can be risky if not managed properly.

Effects of Sugar on Sleep

A study on patients with Type 2 diabetes concluded that higher blood sugar levels are linked to poor sleep quality. Another study found that adults with prediabetes often experience sleep issues.

Even without a diabetes diagnosis, having elevated blood sugar levels before bed can affect sleep. Higher sugar and refined carb intake increase the likelihood of blood sugar spikes and subsequent drops, impacting sleep patterns.