Watch Out! Here's a List of Foods That Can Keep You Up at Night

Caffeine found in coffee or energy drinks is one of the well-known causes of sleeplessness. But keep in mind, it's not just caffeine — the foods we eat every day can also disrupt our sleep. Curious which ones? Here is a list of foods that can keep you from getting a good night's rest.

1. Spicy foods.
   Eating spicy foods close to bedtime can keep your body awake. This is because spicy foods can cause digestive discomfort and worsen symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux. According to healthline.com, when you lie down to sleep, these digestive symptoms can worsen, as acid can travel up into the esophagus and cause irritation.
2. Red meat
   Red meat is one type of food that the body finds difficult to digest. Foods that are hard to digest keep the body working even during sleep. According to medicalnewstoday.com, difficult-to-digest foods cause the body to remain active even while sleeping. For this reason, red meat is best avoided in the evening.
3. High-fat foods
   High-fat foods such as fried foods or other items with a high fat content are best avoided at night, as they can also cause sleep difficulties. According to webmd.com, a study found that people who frequently consume high-fat foods may experience disrupted sleep cycles. This can occur because fatty foods tend to stimulate digestion, causing discomfort that keeps a person awake at night.
4. Processed foods
   Processed foods generally contain many added components, such as added sugars and fats, which can negatively impact sleep quality. According to medicalnewstoday.com, consuming processed foods not only worsens sleep quality in adults, but can also shorten sleep duration in children aged 12–18 years.
5. Fast food
   Consuming fast food can trigger poor sleep quality and shorter sleep duration. According to healthline.com, a 2018 study revealed that teenagers who regularly ate fast food and instant noodles tended to have sleep problems. Those are the foods you should avoid eating at night if you want to sleep well. In addition to avoiding sleep-disrupting foods, it is a good idea to take a sleep test if you notice signs of a sleep disorder, particularly symptoms of sleep apnea such as frequent snoring.

Snoring should not be taken lightly, as it can be a sign of a health condition known as sleep apnea. People who snore frequently are also known to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Those with OSA can experience breathing pauses lasting 10 to 20 seconds during sleep due to a blocked airway. This condition leads to health complications because the body's oxygen levels become insufficient.

Consulting a doctor is the right step to get prompt treatment for OSA. Doctors will typically recommend a Sleep Diagnostic Test first, and if deemed necessary, will also recommend the use of CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy to address snoring and sleep apnea.

If you have been advised to take a Sleep Diagnostic Test or need more information about CPAP therapy devices for snoring and sleep apnea, you can contact Resindo Medika.

Resindo Medika is the official distributor of ResMed and Somnomedics in Indonesia. Resindo Medika provides high-accuracy Sleep Diagnostic Tests. You can take a sleep test at a hospital or in the comfort of your own home — easily, safely, and conveniently.