If you have sleeping problems, you are not alone. More and more people worldwide suffer from sleep problems of a different nature - difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings at night. These problems can be due to various reasons, one of which is eating s alty foods late at night.
Some people like to snack on something sweet at night before bed, but others reach for the s alty treats they love. However, according to the Cleveland Clinic, eating s alty food before bed can cause serious sleep problems. This is because of increased sodium intake, which is also associated with increased blood pressure
Too much s alt in the body causes increased blood pressure, fluid retention and sleep problems, according to the American Heart Association. Consuming a large amount of sodium during or after dinner can cause cardiovascular disturbances, kidney problems, feeling tired, restless sleep, insomnia.
S alt in excess affects not only sleep badly. Water retention can not only cause blood pressure to rise, but also make it difficult for kidney function and urination. If you consume s alty food, it is advisable to do so at least 3 or 4 hours before sleep to give your body the opportunity to handle the processing and excretion of the s alt.
It's good to also take time for a walk or some light physical activity after dinner to help break down and digest food.
It is not only s alt that interferes with sleep. Its consumption in combination with fatty, fried, doughy foods leads to poor sleep and poor he alth over time. At dinner, focus on he althy proteins and vegetables to enjoy good he alth and sleep.
If it's getting close to bedtime and you're craving something s alty, still try to reach for some he althy foods suitable for this time of day - roast turkey, almonds, banana, brown or black rice, says he althline.com.
