Does eating late at night cause insomnia and disturbing dreams?

A recent scientific study has shown that eating certain foods late at night negatively affects sleep quality and increases disturbing dreams and nightmares, particularly among those with lactose intolerance. The study involved 1,082 students who responded to questionnaires about their dietary and sleep habits, with 40% of them confirming that their sleep was affected by late-night meals. While fruits, vegetables, and herbal tea helped some participants fall asleep, sweets, dairy products, and spicy foods disrupted the sleep of nearly a quarter of the participants. A strong correlation was found between nighttime eating and nightmares among individuals with lactose intolerance, with their proportion rising significantly among those whose sleep was impaired. Researchers suggest that nighttime gastrointestinal pain and disturbances may trigger disturbing dreams, demonstrating how physical sensations can influence the mind. The study also revealed that eating any food late at night is associated with an increase in nightmares, whereas those who avoid eating before bed tend to remember their dreams better. These findings align with previous research linking sleep disorders to gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux and irritable bowel syndrome, due to reduced efficiency in acid clearance at night. Nevertheless, researchers clarify that the study does not establish a direct causal relationship that would require everyone to avoid these foods. Therefore, experts recommend conducting broader future studies involving diverse age groups to better understand the precise impact of diet on sleep.