Why Do Some Wines Keep Me Awake At Night
Hello there! I’m Dr. Vinifera, but you can call me Vinny. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the fine points of etiquette to the science of winemaking. And don’t worry, I’m no wine snobyou can also ask me those “dumb questions” you’re too embarrased to ask your wine geek friends! I hope you find my answers educational, empowering and even amusing. And don’t forget to check out my most asked questions and my full archives for all my Q& A classics.
Dear Dr. Vinny,
Why do some wines keep me awake at night?
Leah, Asheville, N.C.
Dear Leah,
Alcohol can interfere with how you sleep, disrupting REM sleep and exacerbating sleep disorders. It should never be used as a sleep aid. Avoid drinking wine right before bed, and at least a few hours before that if possible. And of course talk to your physician before consuming wine while taking any medications.
Many people find wine, which also contains a small amount of melatonin, to have a sedative effect, but your experience of wine keeping you awake at night is not uncommon either. Wine can actually exacerbate sleep apnea and insomnia, and it can also have multiple side effects that may interrupt your ability to fall asleep, including ringing in the ears, flushing and dehydration.
Dr. Vinny
Will White Vinegar Get Rid Of Leg Cramps
Having white can destroy your tooth enamel and affect your health for its acetic acid content. Apple cider vinegar is always preferred for leg cramps. Drinking it at night has a blood sugar balancing potent effect. Morning consumption will cause no harm either. It works right at night, thus reducing pain and cramps, leading to proper circulation.
- 23shares
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These Are The Benefits Of Drinking Red Wine Before Bed
- 4 minute read
Good health doesnt have to mean punishing yourself at the gym or eating rabbit food. Often, the everyday self-care rituals we take pleasure in from relaxing with a good book to soaking in a hot tub can also be beneficial for our health.
Another such beneficial indulgence is drinking red wine. Specifically, researchers are keen to highlight the benefits of drinking red wine before bed. It seems, then, that you were onto something all along with your favorite way to unwind in the evening after a long day at work!
But what are the benefits of red wine exactly? And why is it better to indulge in a glass of Pinot Noir before bed than at any other time of the day? Keep reading to find out.
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What Red Wine Or Alcohol Will Do To You
- Red wine or alcohol in general dehydrates the body
- The alcohol intake results in the creation of adrenaline in the body
- Alcohol prevents or makes it difficult for the body to enter deep REM sleep
- Alcohol may create issues when mixed with whatever medications you are taking for some other issue or if you are taking medications against your insomnia
How Do You Stop Wine Making You Sleepy
Its never fun when you cant keep your eyes open after a few glasses of wine, especially if the company youre with is still raring to go. But how do you stop wine from making you sleepy?
Although a large part of the effects of wine depends on your overall alcohol tolerance and how many glasses youve had, there are a few ways to decrease your chances of falling asleep before the partys over.
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Leg Pain After Drinking
Besides loud talk, fake confidence, and morning hangovers, some people may experience leg aches after heavy drinking sessions. Leg pain after consuming alcohol is not uncommon problem and it can happen when you drink. Some people experience leg pains after drinking just one glass of wine, while others complain about similar problems when they have huge amounts of alcohol in their system. The severity of a leg ache after binge drinking is also individual. For some patients, the discomfort after drinking mainfests as mildly uncomfortable pain, and for others, leg pain after alcohol can be quite severe.
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Benefits Of Drinking Red Wine Before Bed Facts To Know
Alcohol consumption is a widely debated topic amongst nutritionists and dietitians, but generally speaking, drinking red wine before bed is a healthy way to consume alcohol and it can certainly fit into a healthy diet.
I was never much of a wine drinker until my first year in professional basketball when I was living in Macedonia. The town I lived in was famous for grapes, and drinking wine was a regular part of life.
After living there for a few months and researching the history and science of wine consumption, it became clear to me that drinking red wine could absolutely fit into a healthy diet plan, and drinking red wine has a few unique health benefits that you wont obtain elsewhere.
However, there is still some debate about the health benefits of drinking wine before bed or drinking alcohol at all, which I will happily explain to you below!
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Youll Protect Heart Health
Red wine has additionally proven to lower LDL levels and increase HDL levels . These balanced proportions make it more difficult for blood clots to form that can, on occasion, lead to heart attacks or strokes. As previously mentioned, resveratrol, if consumed regularly, contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help protect the body from the dire consequences of cardiovascular disease.
It is very important to keep in mind that the aforementioned health benefits stem from a diet in which red wine is consumed regularly in light to moderate amounts. Excess drinking will likely cause more harm than help in the long run.
Get A Good Amount Of Sleep The Night Before
If youre planning on drinking wine the next day, ideally, you want to get a good amount of sleep the night before. Thats because how much sleep you get is related to the intensity of the effects of alcohol.
Due to alcohol being a central nervous system depressant, it slows down certain parts of your brain and has a sedating effect. If youre already tired from a bad nights sleep the previous day, drinking wine will only enhance that sensation.
Additionally, sleep deprivation and drinking alcohol can make you feel tipsier than you actually are.
Scott Swartzwelder states thats due to alcohol strengthening the side effects that come with lack of sleep, making you less alert overall.
If you want to prevent falling into a sleepy stupor after a wine-drinking session, you might want to get yourself an early night the day before so you can squeeze in 8 hours of rest.
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How Does Alcohol Affect Sleep
Research suggests that, as a depressant, alcohol does help you fall asleep faster, but those effects quickly wear away after just a few hours as your body tries to eliminate the alcohol from your system.
According to theNational Sleep Foundation, one explanation for poor sleep after drinking is that the production of adenosine increases while drinking, allowing you to go to sleep quickly however, this chemical quickly subsides, making you more likely to wake up throughout the night. Drinking before bed is also linked with more slow-wave sleep patterns called delta activity, but alpha activity, which indicates wakefulness with eyes closed and often precedes sleep, is turned on at the same time. Experiencing these two brain wave activities at the same time is thought to inhibit quality rest. Additionally, alcohol inhibits REM sleep, which is often considered the most mentally restorative phase of sleep.
Bath Of Apple Cider Vinegar
Why to use:
Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may help provide pain relief to the neck, back, and shoulder joint pain . Warm water with vinegar will help to relax the muscles and relieve the cramps and pain. Some of the benefits are-
- Apple cider vinegar for leg cramps is very useful
- It is rich in calcium: It helps in the formation of bone mineral density and nervous system function.
- It has electrolytes in it as it contains magnesium in it.
- Vitamins: boosts blood flow through arteries making muscle cramps harder to form.
- Drinking apple cider vinegar is incredibly useful for the natural alleviation of leg cramps as it is rich in minerals.
How to use:
To prepare a vinegar bath:
- Fill a tub with warm water.
- Add 2 cups of apple cider vinegar.
- Stir the water.
Turn on the shower and rinse with or without soap.
How much to use:
After returning from the day-long hectic work schedule, in the evening, take this bath to feel relaxed.
Precaution:
Risk factors- Cramps are usually harmless but may sometimes involve medical symptoms and can cause significant medical disorder, such as Atherosclerosis.
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Alcohol And Weight Gain Or Weight Loss
As many people already know, drinking too much alcohol can result in weight gain .
Alcohol slows down your metabolism and alters the breakdown of sugar in the body.
As stated by a study published in Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences,
The experimental metabolic evidence suggests that the consumption of moderate amounts of alcohol has to be accounted for in the energy-balance equation and may represent a risk factor for the development of a positive energy balance and thus weight gain.
Along with that, drinking alcohol often results in impaired judgment, and you become more likely to consume foods that are high in sugar and saturated fats.
This can affect your insulin resistance and will change how your body distributes fat.
One potential issue with a change in your insulin resistance is metabolic syndrome, which is a condition that reduces your bodys ability to consume and store energy effectively.
Belly fat, or to give it its more scientific name of visceral fat, is considered the most dangerous form of fat. It can increase your risk of developing heart disease as it has been shown to surround your internal organs.
If you are working on your body and improving your health, the best rule is to only drink red wine in moderation or stop drinking completely.
Signs And Symptoms Of Alcoholic Neuropathy
Signs and symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy can progress gradually, and they are usually subtle at first. Often, a person who drinks heavily might not recognize that the symptoms are related to alcohol or to neuropathy. Signs and symptoms include any combination of the following:
- Pain, tingling or other unusual feelings in the toes, feet, legs, fingers, hands or arms
- Weakness in the feet or hands
- Lack of coordination of the feet or hands
- Loss of balance/unsteadiness when walking
- Bruises, cuts, sores or skin infections on the toes, feet, or fingers
- Dizziness, particularly when standing with eyes closed
- Trouble walking a straight line, even without recent alcohol use
- Constipation or diarrhea
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Should Wine Be Used To Help You Fall Asleep
All that being said, wine should not be used as a sleep aid, nor to help you fall asleep.
In fact, alcohol, in any form can disrupt sleep cycles, causing more moments of wakefulness and less time spent in deep sleep. Of course, you might feel sleepy after drinking alcohol, but that feeling can be related to many other causes. It may be the context we find ourselves in while drinking , or a particularly tiring day weve had.
If you have problems sleeping well, melatonin supplements are a much better option. According to Marcello Iriti, Ph.D. of Plant Science at Milan State University, and Vandana Sheth, dietician and nutritionist for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:
A glass of red wine might contain anywhere between 60 and 120 nanograms of melatonin, while melatonin pills contain about 10,000 times as much.
So, if you want is to sleep more and sleep better, drinking alcohol is not what will ultimately bring you closer to your goal.
When Does Alcoholic Myopathy Occur
Approximately one-third of individuals who drink heavily on a regular basis will experience alcoholic myopathy, making it far more common than some people might think. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews indicates that about between 0.5 percent and 2 percent of individuals struggling with alcoholism experience acute alcoholic myopathy, while 200 individuals in 100,000 of the general population develop chronic alcoholic myopathy more than any type of inherited myopathy.
Acute alcoholic myopathy can occur after consuming more than 4-5 alcoholic beverages in one sitting . On the other hand, those who develop chronic myopathy generally do so slowly over the course of several weeks or even months of regular, heavy drinking, gradually losing muscle strength. In some cases, muscle twitching, pain, or atrophy will also occur with chronic alcoholic myopathy. Chronic myopathy can also result in occasional bouts of acute myopathy, with muscle pain and weakness and darkened urine occurring after the person binges on alcohol.
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But What Exactly Is The Truth
Does a lovely glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, or three, before hitting the hay increase or decrease the odds of getting a good nights rest?
Well, to find out the answer read on below where we dig a little deeper into the connection between alcohol and sleep.
Is it time to put a cap on the good ol nightcap?
Alcohol & Sleep By The Numbers
Finnish researchers found in a 2018 study that alcohol had significant effects on sleep quality, regardless of whether consumption was light, moderate, or heavy. After analyzing the sleep/alcohol habits of 4,098 adults between the ages of 18-65, they found that:
- Low alcohol intake reduced sleep quality by 9.3%
- Moderate alcohol intake reduced sleep quality by 24%
- Heavy alcohol intake reduced sleep quality by nearly 40%
The study also showed that alcohol affected men, women, and both active and sedentary individuals similarly. Perhaps surprisingly, it found that alcohol affected the sleep of younger people more than it did older adults.
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Red Red Wine Means No No Sleep
WASHINGTON Its the end of a long day, so you pour yourself a glass of wine and have a drink before bed. Youll surely sleep well tonight.
But it turns out that red wine might actually be sabotaging your sweet dreams.
Alcohol increases the likelihood youll wake up in the middle of the night, Prevention reports. This is because it relaxes your respiratory muscles to the point of suppressing your breathing.
When this happens, you wake up.
The study by The London Sleep Centre published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research also found that alcohol makes it difficult to reach REM, the deepest stage of sleep.
But, if youd still like to be lulled to sleep by a glass of wine, stop drinking at least an hour before bedtime. With lower levels of alcohol in your system, the impact wont be as great.
WTOPs Veronica Robinson contributed to this report. Follow and on Twitter.
Your Bodys Natural Rhythm And Sleep
The body has a natural rhythm that guides and determines how we feel throughout the day. Known as circadian rhythm or our internal clock so to speak. This internal clock is typically guided by lightness and darkness , and may be slightly different for every person.
These rhythms affect many parts of our lives including our sleep and wake cycles, how our hormones function, our eating habits, the temperature of the body and other important bodily functions. In addition, disturbing this natural rhythm is disruptive to our sleep and may diminish the quality of our sleep. Since sleep and weight loss are connected, this disruption to your sleep may also lead to chronic health conditions including obesity and weight problems.
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Enjoy The Benefits Of Drinking Red Wine Before Bed
As this list shows, the benefits of drinking red wine before bed are both extensive and impressive. Although, before you finish off that bottle of Merlot, all the findings point to the fact that moderation is key.
In particular, the best way to enjoy the many red wine benefits weve outlined is to enjoy your daily glass with a healthy evening meal. Add a relaxed, social setting into the mix and you have all the necessary ingredients to improving your health and happiness.
Browse our online magazine for some more healthy lifestyle tips!
Nightcaps May Fragment Sleep And Contribute To Insomnia And Snoring
If you drink alcohol late and have trouble falling or staying asleep, symptoms that characterize insomnia, you might wonder how long you should wait between your last drink and going to bed.
Whether it is beer, wine, or hard liquors, learn how much time should elapse after your last drink before bedtime and what symptoms you might experience if you dont wait long enough before going to sleep.
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Wine Can Help You Fall Asleep
Tossing and turning? Whether it’s stress from work, the latest binge-worthy show or a chronic condition that’s keeping you up at night, you’re not alone. About 70 million Americans have some sort of trouble sleeping, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. For many, alcohol is an accessible, and often appealing, option for relief.
Studies have shown that drinking before bed reduces sleep latency, meaning it can help bring on sleep more quickly than usual. This is thanks to alcohol’s sedative effects, which range in intensity depending on one’s blood-alcohol content . However, several studies have also shown that people can develop a tolerance to these sedative effects in as few as three nights. Eventually your body will need more alcohol to experience sleep-inducing effects, which can lead to even bigger problems, such as alcohol dependency.
As with many other health issues, there’s a possibility that the type of alcohol you drink could also make a difference. In 2006, a study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture revealed that several wine grapes are rich in melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep.
