If you’ve ever woken up from a terrifying nightmare you may have wondered what triggered such a disturbing dream. Could it have been that late-night snack you ate right before bed? An old wives’ tale warns that eating pork before sleeping can cause bad dreams. But is there any truth to this idea? Let’s dig into the evidence surrounding pork and nightmares.
The notion that diet influences dreams and sleep quality has been around for thousands of years Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates wrote about the connection between food and rest In more modern times, some people still believe that eating certain foods like pork close to bedtime can disrupt sleep and cause unpleasant dreams.
But what does science say about the link between eating pork and having bad dreams? Do your dreams become scary if you eat bacon before bed? Let’s find out!
Overview of Research on Food and Dreams
There has been a long history of anecdotal evidence linking foods like pork to trouble sleeping and nightmares, but there isn’t much formal research on this topic. However, some studies provide initial insights:
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In 2005, the British Cheese Board conducted an informal study on cheese and dreams. Findings hinted cheese may cause vivid, intense dreams for some people. However, the study faced criticism for lacking scientific rigor and formal publication.
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In 2016, researchers from Canada’s University of Montreal looked at how different foods affect dreams. Based on a poll of college students, researchers found groups of foods that were linked to strange or scary dreams.
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The study did not specifically implicate pork as causing more nightmares. Foods like dairy, sugar, spicy fare, and greasy foods were more problematic for sleep.
So while scientific research on the topic is still emerging, there are some clues on connections between diet and dreams. Let’s focus specifically on whether science supports pork causing nightmares.
Does Eating Pork at Night Lead to Bad Dreams?
According to the limited available research:
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The 2016 University of Montreal study did not find that eating pork before bed led to more frequent or disturbing dreams compared to other foods.
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Pork was not singled out as problematic for sleep quality or dreaming. The study did not establish causation, but pork at least showed no specific correlational link with nightmares.
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Anecdotally, some individuals may find pork disrupts their sleep. But there is no clear scientific consensus that pork uniquely impacts dreaming.
So while more research is warranted, current evidence does not indicate pork inherently causes more vivid, frightening dreams if consumed close to sleep compared to other foods. But which foods may play a role?
Foods Potentially Linked to Bad Dreams
While science cannot yet confirm definitive causes, these food categories show tentative links with restless sleep and disturbing dreams:
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Dairy – In the University of Montreal study, cheese was the top offender. The fat and protein may be hard to fully digest overnight.
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Sugar – Candy, chocolate, and sweets may also spark bizarre or vivid dreams by spiking blood sugar.
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Spicy foods – Hot peppers and spices appear to disrupt sleep cycles and body temperature regulation.
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Fried foods – Greasy, fatty foods like chips and fried chicken are hard to digest fully during sleep.
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Carbs – Bread and pasta may disturb sleep due to quick blood sugar spikes and drops.
So while pork doesn’t appear to be a proven nightmare culprit yet, these other foods have shown potential links. The science is still uncertain, but these categories seem more problematic than pork specifically.
Tips for Reducing Bad Dreams From Food
If disturbing dreams plague your nights, you can take proactive steps through your diet and sleep habits:
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Avoid problem foods before bed – Skip sugary treats, dairy, carbs, and spicy/fried fare for 3 hours pre-sleep.
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Go light before bed – Choose a small snack like yogurt or oatmeal rather than a big meal.
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Manage portions – If indulging in treats like chocolate, cut back the serving size.
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Allow time to digest – Finish food 3 hours before bed to give your body time to process.
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Limit liquids – Reduce caffeine, alcohol, and excess fluids that can impair sleep quality.
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Stick to a sleep schedule – Be consistent with your sleep and wake times to set your body clock.
Making thoughtful changes to your evening diet and pre-bedtime routine may help reduce the likelihood of food-related bad dreams!
The Bottom Line
Does eating pork really cause nightmares? Despite the old wives’ tale, there’s no conclusive scientific evidence showing pork specifically disrupts sleep or triggers bad dreams compared to other foods. The research is still evolving in this area and more investigation is needed.
While pork appears innocuous for now, foods like dairy, sugar, and spicy or heavy fare close to bedtime may contribute to restless sleep and disturbing dreams for some people. Limiting these categories before bed and allowing proper digestion time may promote better quality sleep and more peaceful dreams.
Pay attention to your own body’s reactions too. With some dietary tweaks for your pre-bedtime meals, you can snooze more soundly and say goodbye to the nightmare pork myths!
Monsters under the bed & food in your stomach
We’ve had this theory for years. When we remember the night before a really bad dream, we almost always ate something right before bed. We’re convinced there’s a correlation between nightmares and late-night snacks. Since we’re not scientists, we decided to look into it to see if that bag of Doritos really is to blame for the monsters under our bed or if we’re just making up our own version of an old wives’ tale.
Let’s talk about what nightmares are before we get into whether or not eating before bed makes you have bad dreams.
During rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, people have nightmares, which are scary dreams that make them feel very anxious, scared, or distressed. Usually, this happens in the late evening, and when it does, the sleeper usually wakes up and remembers what happened in their dream. Nightmares are:
- More common in females than in men
- May be a normal reaction to stress
- Very common before the age 10
- Common in adults as well, and if they do happen, they are more likely to be caused by trauma or anxiety.
People usually don’t worry about nightmares unless they happen a lot and make it hard for you to function in social, occupational, or other areas of your life. If this is the case, they may be referred to as Nightmare Disorder or “repeated nightmares. ”.
So what can you do about your nightmares?
Unfortunately nightmares happen to everyone at times. Even though adults don’t often have bad dreams, the research we found shows that there are some easy things you can do to make sure you don’t have one.
- Don’t eat before bed. When we’re right about something, we love being able to say that. Never eat a big or heavy meal before bed. This is a simple way to avoid having a bad dream. Eat something and then wait a few hours before going to sleep so your body has time to digest it. If you need to eat before bed, try one of these light bedtime snacks that have been approved by dietitians.
- Sleep on your right side. A study published in 2004 in Sleep and Hypnosis was shared by Prevention Magazine. It found that people who slept on their left sides had “significantly more nightmares than those who slept on their right side.” The clear message is that sleeping on your right side will lower your chances of having a bad dream.
- Practice lucid dreaming. A lucid dream teacher named Charlie Morley thinks that nightmares are an important part of being human. Charlie uses lucid dreaming to fight the demons that live in his mind and free himself from their control.
Can Eating Pork Cause Insomnia Or Nightmares?
FAQ
Does eating pork affect your sleep?
Does eating meat affect your dreams?
Are there foods that cause vivid dreams?
Can what you eat cause bad dreams?
Is pork bad for You?
Often, people associate pork with poor health because of highly processed sources, such as hot dogs, bacon and sausage, which are rich in saturated fat and sodium. Eating these types of foods can elevate your cholesterol and drive heart disease risks, according to the American Heart Association.
Why is pork not recommended to eat?
This is not true, some cuts like sirloin and pork rump steak, for example, are very healthy, even healthier than beef and chicken. Only the fattest cuts like bacon and crackling should be avoided.
Why do people eat pork?
Pork is why we love BBQ, taco al pastor and schnitzel. As pigs in a blanket or bacon-wrapped dates, it’s one food that makes a party delicious. This well-known red meat from domestic pigs is the most commonly eaten meat in the world, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
Can food affect dreams?
Of those who believed food could influence dreams, the most frequent foods mentioned as causing both disturbing (44 percent) and bizarre (39 percent) dreams were, in fact, dairy, including cheese, milk, and ice cream.