With the fast-paced world, getting a good night’s sleep is becoming harder. We often attribute sleep loss to external factors like stress or technology, but sugar can also be a culprit that we tend to overlook. Despite its seemingly harmless nature, sugar can negatively affect our sleep patterns and overall health. Many people are unaware of sugar’s harmful impact on sleep and its correlation with sleep disturbances and constipation. Here’s everything you should know.
Disrupts the sleep-wake cycle
Consuming excessive sugar close to bedtime can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle. Sugar stimulates insulin release, leading to a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. This spike in energy can make it difficult for your body to relax and enter the sleep phase, causing insomnia or fragmented sleep.
Promotes restless sleep
Sugar can contribute to restless sleep by causing blood sugar fluctuations throughout the night. As your blood sugar levels rise and fall, your body may experience sudden awakenings or interruptions in sleep. These disruptions can leave you tired and groggy in the morning, even after a seemingly long night of rest.
Increased risk of sleep disorders
Studies have shown that high-sugar foods are associated with an increased risk of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring. Excess sugar consumption can lead to body mass gain, a common risk factor for sleep disorders. Furthermore, sugar-induced inflammation can contribute to airway inflammation and breathing difficulties during sleep.
Disrupts digestive function
Too much sugar can negatively affect your digestive system, causing constipation and other bowel issues. This is because sugar can slow down the movement of food in your digestive tract, leading to it lingering in your intestines. As a result, your sleep quality may also be impacted as discomfort, and the need to use the bathroom can disrupt your sleep.
Imbalanced gut microbiome
Consuming too much sugar can harm the helpful bacteria in your digestive system, known as the gut microbiome. This can lead to an imbalanced gut microbiome, often linked to digestive problems such as bloating and constipation. These unpleasant symptoms can interfere with your sleep and prevent you from getting the restorative rest your body requires.
Impact on hormones
Too much sugar can negatively affect hormone regulation, including those controlling digestion and sleep. Besides, having excess sugar can also cause insulin resistance, which can disrupt hormone signaling and create imbalances in your digestion and sleep patterns.
6 ways excess sugar intake disturbs sleep
