Doctors warn that this common food is ruining our sleep – and we eat more than 30lbs a year

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What do hamburgers, spaghetti and pizza all have in common? Well, besides being the most popular dish in America, they all share one key ingredient.

And this ingredient is also a staple in many other foods, from soups to salads, thanks to its flavor and nutritional value. While the average American consumes about 31bs of this healthy, versatile food a year, it can also ruin your sleep.

We are talking about tomatoes.

Yes, it turns out that this delicious fruit isn’t actually the best bedtime snack on the menu, which is a shame because it has specialties. a lot of the dinner menu.

So, we asked the medical director of the Wellbridge Treatment and Research Center, Dr. We spoke with Edmond Hakimi to discuss how tomatoes can disrupt sleep, how to enjoy their nutritional benefits while maintaining sleep, and what you can eat near bedtime.

Why tomatoes have a negative effect on sleep?

Dr. Hakimi, while highlighting the nutritional value of tomatoes, emphasizes that eating tomatoes close to bedtime can disrupt sleep.

“Tomatoes can be both sleep disruptors and helpers, making the time we eat important for some people,” the health expert tells us.

“Tomatoes can disrupt sleep due to acidity, which can trigger acid reflux or heartburn during sleep.”

He also explains that tomatoes contain tyramine, an amino acid that increases the release of the brain stimulant norepinephrine. “It can increase alertness and alertness, which can be undesirable if it’s close to bedtime,” he warns.

Do tomatoes have any nutrients that help with sleep?

However, it’s not all bad news if you fancy a BLT in the evening, as Dr Hakimi points out that tomatoes have sleep-inducing properties.

“Tomatoes contain melatonin and the antioxidant lycopene,” says the medical director. “Both of which have been linked to improved sleep quality and increased sleep duration.”

When to eat tomatoes during the day to avoid sleep disturbances?

So, if tomatoes are packed with nutrients, including the sleep hormone melatonin, how can we enjoy this fruit without disrupting our sleep?

“To avoid any possible disruptions to sleep,” advises Dr. Hakimi, “I recommend eating tomatoes at the beginning of the day and not eating tomatoes or other heavy tomato-based foods within 2-3 hours of going to bed, which gives the tomatoes enough time to digest and prevents sleep ant discomfort.”

3 digestible snacks to eat as a snack before bed

1. Ripe banana

Bananas are the last snack before bed, especially if you experience acid reflux at night as they aid digestion.

Bananas are also foods rich in tryptophan, and tryptophan (an essential amino acid) has been proven to improve sleep duration and ease falling asleep. It also contains magnesium, which can improve sleep.

2. Curd, cheese or milk

The National Health Service (NHS) recommends drinking yogurt or paneer (no, cheese doesn’t give you nightmares) or milk in the evening, due to their high calcium content.

Calcium can help reduce stress, and it is recommended to drink a warm glass of milk, be it conventional milk or soy, to promote sleep.

3. Porridge

While porridge is traditionally seen as a breakfast, the NHS says it’s also an excellent evening meal to promote sleep.

This is especially true if you work late and don’t have time to cook and want to avoid reaching for sugary snacks instead.

According to the NHS, oatmeal is rich in calcium, magnesium and potassium, all of which can help with sleep.