12/03/2025
Sugar Intake vs Sleep Quality
Late-night sugar consumption can have several effects on sleep quality, primarily due to the impact of sugar on the body and brain. Here’s an overview of how consuming sugar before bedtime might affect your sleep:
Disrupted Sleep Patterns:
High sugar intake is linked to restless sleep and can lead to more awakenings during the night. This is because sugar can cause fluctuations in energy levels, making it difficult to maintain a deep, restful sleep.
Impact on REM Sleep:
Consuming sugar, especially late in the day, may reduce the amount of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is crucial for cognitive functions and overall mental health.
Hormonal Effects:
Sugar can affect the balance of hormones like insulin and cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels, in particular, are associated with stress and can disrupt the sleep cycle.
Influence on Circadian Rhythms:
Eating late at night, particularly foods high in sugar, can interfere with your body’s natural circadian rhythms, potentially leading to difficulties in falling and staying asleep.
Sources:
Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine: Studies have shown that diets high in sugar can negatively affect sleep quality by increasing arousals from slow-wave sleep. (St-Onge, M. P., et al. [2016]. “The effects of diet on sleep quality.”)
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine: Highlights the role of nutrition in sleep disorders and specifies that excessive sugar intake may influence sleep patterns. (Frank, S., et al. [2017]. “Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Health and Wellbeing.”)
National Institutes of Health (NIH): Provides insights on how sugar and diet affect sleep, linking high sugar meals to sleep disruption.
While these insights are supported by scientific research, individual responses to sugar can vary based on metabolism and overall dietary patterns. Reducing sugar intake, especially in the hours leading up to bedtime, is generally recommended to promote better sleep quality.