How digestion affects sleep
Sleep is crucial for all the essential functions of the human body. It allows your body to heal, your muscles to rebuild, and your brain to process all the information of the day. Falling asleep and staying asleep are essential for your circadian rhythms, and it can be frustrating when your sleep cycle is consistently interrupted. If you find yourself wondering why you can’t seem to get to sleep, the answer may lie in your stomach.
Few people know that gut health may actually be the key to waking up well rested. Studies on the link between your digestive system and sleep indicate that sleep disturbances are sometimes associated with digestive symptoms. Understanding the effect of the digestive system on your sleep could help you wake up fresh and rested every day.
Your stomach isn't ready for bed
Research on the nature of sleep and digestive health conditions indicate that digestive symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, and nausea can negatively affect your sleep. In order to get your sleep schedule back to normal, you will have to address your digestive symptoms.
It should be no surprise that when you eat and what you eat makes all the difference. Therefore, fixing your diet is the first step toward fixing the problem. Following a routine to ensure that you are not eating too late at night or overeating in the evenings may reduce these symptoms. Furthermore, keeping to a healthy and well balanced diet is important for maintaining gut health.1
Say goodnight to gut problems
If you still struggle with sleep despite your best efforts, you should consider taking supplements for digestive health. A daily probiotic is a simple way to improve gut health. Taking care of your digestive system is more important for getting a better night’s sleep than you may think. If you struggle with persistent sleep problems, it may be time to take a good look at your diet.
References
1 Association between digestive symptoms and sleep disturbance: a cross-sectional community-based study, BMC Gastroenterology | NCBI
NOTE: The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and BMC Gastroenterology have not reviewed or approved the above article.