Can milk ruin your sleep?

More than a thousand students participated in the study. Participants were asked about what they eat, how they sleep, and what dreams they have. Almost half of them confessed: food really affects their sleep. And dairy products were most often named among the suspects.

It turned out that people with lactose intolerance have nightmares more often. Especially if bloating, cramps or other abdominal problems appear along with the milk. Scientists suggest that it is abdominal discomfort that wakes up the brain at times when dreams become brighter and more disturbing.

And this is not the only study. Back in 2015, students in Canada said that cheese or ice cream at night make dreams strange and frightening. And in 2022, people who often eat sweets were more likely to recall nightmares.

Why is this happening? It explains that everything that is related to the work of the intestines and the brain. When the stomach worries, it affects the quality of sleep. Sleep becomes intermittent, with a lot of dreams, especially disturbing ones. And if the body is struggling with inflammation or stress from digestion, dreams can become even harder.

However, the study has limitations. Everything is based on surveys, not on laboratory experiments. People just told me what they remembered, and it may not always be accurate.

However, the idea is simple: if you often have disturbing dreams or don’t sleep well, try experimenting. Do not eat dairy products before going to bed. Or choose low-lactose foods. Sometimes small dietary changes bring amazing results.