Control Day-time Snacking to Sleep Well
Posted on June 13, 2008 in Current Affairs by Danteshwari
Snacking at late nights and having diet rich in fats can cause poor sleep. One should avoid taking chips and refills of cola while watching the football game or television.
Researchers at the Federal University of Sao Paulo in Brazil observed a correlation between total energy intake, snacking at night and getting up too often during sleep.
The focus of the study was on 52 healthy volunteers aged between 20-45 years. An analysis of their food intake was done. The volunteers were subjected to a sleep test, or rather a polysomnogram done overnight, which was meant to ascertain their sleep patterns.
Lead author of the study felt that the increase in fat intake was linked up to lower levels of sound sleep, increase in sleep apnea and an increase in arousal index. It was observed that higher fat intake and more fat in the dinner had negative impact on sleep pattern. The findings were presented at Sleep 2008, a global meeting involving professional societies of sleep in Baltimore in the United States.
Nutritionists feel that cola and chips taken at night can cause disturbed sleep.
This is due to fact the fried food as well as drinks, which contain caffeine take 12 hours to digest. Fruits on the other hand take half an hour, whereas raw vegetables take about an hour.
Dr. Charu Dua, chief nutritionist at Max Hospital holds the view that the digestion process is constantly taking place within us, which affects sleep. The diet of an Indian adult should consist of 1,600 calories. A woman should consume around 1,400 calories.
A bad diet causes sleepiness and intereferes with our daily activities and routine. It reduces the ability to function. It negatively affects performance in the day-time, mood and thinking. Less sleep means poor concentration, memory lapse, inadequate reaction time, injuries and accidents.
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