Spices and sleep: which ones should be avoided in order to sleep well?

Useful properties of spices have been known since ancient times. They are great for flavoring food and reducing the use of salt. However, some of them are not recommended to be consumed in the evening, as they can interfere with the quality of a night’s rest. Read on Joy-pup which spices to avoid for good sleep and which to use for good rest?

What spices should be avoided for dinner?

Despite the many benefits they bring to our body, there are some spices that can interfere with a night’s sleep. At dinner, you should limit or completely eliminate the use of hot spices or foods with a very strong taste. For example, chili, jalapeno, paprika, as well as curry, which contains hot spices. Chili peppers, in particular, are high in capsaicin, which increases stomach acid and contains substances that stimulate the nervous system.

Why hot spices interfere with sleep at night?

Spicy-tasting spices can interfere with sleep because they can slow down digestion or cause or worsen acid reflux. Especially if they are used to flavor foods rich in fat or very salty, which are already difficult to digest. In addition, eating spicy foods can increase thirst. This forces you to wake up frequently at night to drink, thus disrupting rest and making it difficult to fall asleep.

Are there spices that promote sleep?

Fortunately, there are spices and herbs that promote sleep. Nutmeg, turmeric, oregano, marjoram, and basil are considered allies of a good holiday. Combine these spices with sleep-promoting foods to make a dinner that will relieve your insomnia and allow you to have a good rest:

• cereals – rice, barley and oats, which help regulate serotonin levels;
• turkey, oily fish, fresh dairy products rich in tryptophan, a precursor amino acid for serotonin.