Christmas is often a time for indulging in seasonal delights, but an expert has issued a warning about the impact of certain festive favourites on our sleep quality.
Dr Katherine Hall, a sleep psychologist with expertise in treating insomnia, spoke to Daily Mail Australia about the festive treats that could be disrupting our rest. Dr Hall advised steering clear of foods and drinks high in salt, acid, or spice during the Christmas season, particularly in the evening.
She also highlighted that most types of chocolate should be avoided to ensure better sleep. For those who haven’t yet completed their Christmas food shop and struggle with sleep, it might be wise to leave chocolates, ham, cheeses, and alcoholic beverages off the list.
Salty foods
When it comes to salty foods, Dr Hall pointed out that high sodium levels are likely behind your restless nights. Consuming meals and snacks with a lot of salt can lead to fluid retention and raised blood pressure, which may prevent the body from relaxing properly.
This could mean that traditional snacks like crisps or salted nuts, as well as main dishes, might be contributing to your lack of sleep. “Smoked hams such as gammon and bacon are full of salts, so avoid the Christmas ham in the evening buffets if you’re after a good night’s sleep,” she recommended, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Acidic foods
A sleep expert has warned that Tyramine, an amino acid known to stimulate brain activity, should be avoided at night. Foods rich in Tyramine include tomatoes, aubergines, soy sauce, red wine and cheeses.
So, if you’re partial to a cheese board and a glass of red to round off Christmas Day, it might be time to reconsider. Overindulging in wine and cheese can trigger your brain’s ‘fight or flight’ response, releasing adrenaline and norepinephrine which can leave you feeling anxious for the rest of the night.
Spicy food
“Thankfully, Christmas food isn’t typically fuelled by spice,” Dr Hall added. She explained that Capsaicin, the chemical found in spicy food, can cause heartburn, indigestion, and a rapid rise in body temperature.
“So if you combine this with the energy your body needs to digest the remainder of the meal, and you can really struggle getting some solid sleep.”