Want to sleep better? Avoid eating these 5 foods at night –

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1. Tomato sauce

Although it can be used in different preparations, it is better to limit its consumption to lunch. That’s because the Tomato Sauce can cause heartburn in those who suffer from reflux. In addition, its ingestion encourages the release of noradrenaline, a substance that stimulates brain activity and inhibits sleep.

2. Chocolate

The sweet popular among Brazilians takes caffeine in its composition, which can cause extra (and unnecessary) energy at night. It also features theobromine, a stimulating which speeds up the heartbeat, making it difficult to have good dreams.

3. Alcohol

One glass of wine before going to sleep even helps in inducing sleep, but the truth is that the alcohol affects the quality of hours in bed. “It disrupts neurological mechanisms and compromises deep sleep, which is essential to prepare the body for the next day,” explains Fábio Porto, a neurologist at the Hospital das Clínicas in São Paulo.

4. Red meat

Steer clear of red meat at night if you’re in need of replenishing your sleep. “Since it is a food that is difficult to digest, it causes a feeling of abdominal distention, compromising rest”, explains Fábio.

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5. (Lots of) water

There’s nothing wrong with staying hydrated throughout the day, but downing two or three glasses of water before going to bed is the biggest hole. “It increases the amount of urine produced during the night and causes night awakenings, interrupting sleep,” says the expert. Instead, choose a water-rich fruit with a sleep-inducing effect, such as Kiwi.