The question of whether a glass of wine can help you fall asleep faster, worries many. Some notice that after one or two glasses of red or white wine, drowsiness and yawn appear. But does alcohol really improve sleep, is it only a temporary effect that hides potential problems?
What happens to the body after a glass of wine
According to Dr. Andrew Kolsky, alcohol has a sedative effect - it reduces the activity of the brain, enhancing the effect of a GABC neurotransmitter, which soothes the nervous system. Therefore, it is really easier to fall asleep after wine. However, this effect is deceptive.
Histamines, which are especially contained in red wine, can also cause fatigue, explains Dr. Madaiah Rewan. They create the illusion that the body wants to sleep, although in fact sleep after alcohol is rarely high quality.
Despite the slight falling asleep, alcohol seriously disrupts the structure of sleep. The most suffering Rem phase-the most important stage of night rest, which is responsible for emotional stability, processing of information and memory formation.
In addition, alcohol provokes:
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frequent night awakening,
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Increased sweating,
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snoring or even apnea in a dream due to the relaxation of the muscles of the throat,
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Frequent hiking to the toilet due to diuretic effect.
What doctors advise
Experts insist: if you still drink alcohol, do it 3-4 hours before bedtime so that the body has time to process it. It is not necessary to combine alcohol with sedatives or sleeping pills.
The optimal dose is no more than one or two glasses per day. But even if moderation, alcohol should be avoided as a "falling asleep" - it can develop into a bad habit.
For quality sleep, doctors advise you to follow simple but effective advice:
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Do not use a bedroom to watch TV or use the phone,
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maintain silence, darkness and coolness in the room,
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go to bed and wake up at the same time.
The wine can give a false impression of "easy falling", but does not provide a healthy sleep. Therefore, using it as a remedy for insomnia is not the best idea.
