To have a good sleep, what you do and don't do before bed matters. What you eat before sleep is also very important. Food can affect sleep mechanisms both negatively and positively. Some foods have the ability to promote the production of melatonin and serotonin, while others block these processes, facilitating sleep.
We know it's good to avoid coffee and black tea before bed because they contain caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant that excites the nervous system and interferes with sleep. We know how important it is to provide our body with 7 to 9 hours of full sleep. Deprivation of sleep for a long period of time or chronic lack of sleep can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, and can have not only physical but also mental consequences.
Lack of quality sleep can increase stress and anxiety levels, impair memory, concentration, ability to work throughout the day, according to data published in the Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, cited by he althdigest.com.
To help you sleep well and fall asleep easily, there are some foods you should avoid. Among them is cheese. Why should you not consume it in the evening or before going to bed?
Not all cheeses interfere with sleep
Some types of cheese may keep you awake for a long time and may even make you unable to fall asleep.
Whether your sleep may deteriorate depends on the type of cheese you consume late at night. According to benenden.co.uk, mature types of cheese, which are more mature, can keep you up at night because of their high levels of tyramine. Brie, feta, blue cheese are among those with high concentrations of tyramine. This enzyme acts as a stimulant, increasing stress hormones and affecting the brain.
However, not all cheeses have this effect. White brined cheese and especially cottage cheese can actually help you fall asleep more easily. Cottage cheese promotes sleep. The amino acids in it increase the levels of tryptophan, which stimulates the release of serotonin in the brain, which is important for the processes of falling asleep and maintaining sleep.
The next time you crave cheese before bed, think carefully about which kind you choose.
