Many of us like a to have a small late-night snack or after dinner dessert right before bed. Whether it’s a bowl of ice cream or chocolate bar, we all have our preferred taste. However, recent studies have gone to show the negative effects sugar consumption has on our sleep patterns.

More sugar has lead to many sleepless nights for those who had high sugar in their diets. In 2016, a study was conducted between those with high sugar in their diets and those with low sugar and their sleep patterns. Those who had higher sugar in their diets tended to sleep less deeply and display greater restless at night. Increased sugar also causes for a person to wake up more often in the middle of the night. The sugar itself overstimulates the body with energy, causing for the body to awake multiple times in the night. Sugars also use a lot of magnesium, a vitamin that is useful for deep sleep.

Sleep doctors recommend that you stop eating about two hours before going to sleep, that way the body is not over processing any sugars in your sleep that cause for a restless sleep. To ensure a good night’s rest, doctors also recommend not having any caffeine before bed and turning off the TV to let the mind go to rest. Working out, healthy-eating, and a proper night time routine produce long nights of rest.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please consult your doctor.

This article is not meant to be substitution for physician’s directions.