Does avoiding food before sleep help?
Sources:
Avoiding food before sleep can indeed be beneficial. According to , not eating for approximately 2 hours before going to bed can help increase the release of growth hormone during sleep. This is particularly important because carbohydrate-rich meals close to bedtime can significantly blunt the peak of growth hormone that naturally occurs during sleep 1. Moreover, he mentions that most people would benefit from not eating within 2 hours prior to bedtime 2.
Additionally, explains that sleeping while fasting—meaning having a fasting period aligning with sleep—can enhance the function of the lymphatic system. This process helps in clearing out metabolic debris from the brain, which can improve cognition and overall brain health 3.
Hence, it's generally recommended to avoid eating 2-3 hours before bedtime to optimize the release of growth hormones and enhance the quality of sleep by supporting the brain’s cleansing processes.
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