Age and Food
Studies have shown that sleep quality reduces with age [7]. Elderly people may experience a slight decrease in total rest hours to six hours which is a three-hour difference between the medically-recommended sleep duration. This isn’t a problem or cause of worry because children require more resting hours than elders. Babies, pre-teens, and adolescents are in their growing stages so, it is best to observe eight to nine hours of sleep every twenty-four hours.
Eating right before bedtime may affect one’s ability to fall asleep on time. The intake of food triggers the production of a hormone called insulin. This hormone causes low blood sugar levels, which can affect your night rest and cause daytime drowsiness. Food can signal wakefulness in the brain, which interferes with the neurological ability to fall asleep.
People suffering from GERD or Acid reflux may also find it difficult to rest if they eat just a moment before laying down. Heartburn is a common symptom of GERD, and it is triggered by foods, including fatty and sugary foods.
References:
[1] https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_three_types_of_insomnia/article.htm
[2] https://www.everydayhealth.com/gerd/managing/sleep-tips-for-people-with-gerd.aspx#:~:text=For%20people%20who%20have%20been,result%20of%20their%20nighttime%20heartburn.
[3] https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/lack-of-sleep-and-diabetes#:~:text=It’s%20estimated%20that%20one%20in,insomnia%20and%20next%2Dday%20fatigue.
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6033330/#:~:text=Epidemiologic%20research%20has%20shown%20that,is%20related%20to%20sleep%20disorders
[5] https://www.uptodate.com/contents/behavioral-sleep-problems-in-children#:~:text=INTRODUCTION%20Behavioral%20sleep%20problems%20(behavioral,night%20awakenings%20requiring%20parental%20intervention.
[6] https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-04-2013/medications-that-can-cause-insomnia.html
[7] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355167#:~:text=Insomnia%20and%20aging,more%20likely%20to%20wake%20you.