What Happens When You Drink Two Glasses Of Wine Before Sleep?

Since ages, wine has been used not only for recreational purposes but also for various health conditions. Made from fermented grape juice, the flavourful drink is one of the best ways to incorporate fun and health. Moderate consumption of wine can be attributed to long life, protection against cancer, and improved mental health.

How about drinking wine before bed?

Many of us find that drinking a glass or two of wine before retiring for the night helps us to relax a bit and get over the stress of the day's hectic routine so that we can sleep soundly without having to worry about it.

When You Drink Two Glasses Of Wine Before Sleep

As various doctors and researchers have observed, this notion is false.

Several studies have indicated that drinking wine to fall asleep interferes with sleep homeostasis, which refers to how the body regulates sleep and waking. As a consequence, regular drinking can even result in insomnia over time. Therefore, they concluded that alcohol should not be regarded as an advantageous sleep aid [1].

What Happens When You Drink Two Glasses Of Wine Before Bed?

It has been established that wine makes one doze, affecting the mechanisms that control sleep and alertness.

When a person's sleep is hampered, his body produces adenosine, a naturally occurring substance that propels him to fall asleep. Alternatively, if a person falls asleep early, sleep homeostasis may be altered, and they may awaken in the middle of the night or at dawn. In addition to altering the sleep homeostatic mechanism, wine also put pressure on individuals to sleep [2].

When this occurs, a person experiences disruptions in their sleep patterns. Due to the fact that wine consumption causes one to flush out urine frequently from the body, it causes one to exercise earlier in the morning [3].

In addition, researchers found that people who consumed wine frequently fell asleep but woke up within a short period of time, and became extremely difficult to fall back asleep after that. Researchers found that the alcoholics showed symptoms of insomnia when they were not provided with wine.

When people stopped drinking alcohol regularly before bedtime, they suffered from alcohol withdrawal symptoms. When they attempted to sleep, they showed insomnia symptoms, compromising sleep homeostasis [4][5].

When You Drink Two Glasses Of Wine Before Sleep

Substitutes Of Wine For A Good Sleep

There is a misconception that two glasses of wine will have a positive effect on the quality of one's sleep. Rather, one should seek the assistance of a professional physician in order to identify the underlying cause of a disruption in one's daily sleep pattern [6].

Following tips can help promote good sleep:

  • Walnuts aid in sleepiness since it comprises protein, potassium and it helps the body make melatonin, a natural sleep hormone.
  • Have a salad with your evening meal for a relaxing effect on the brain.
  • In order to sleep, our bodies require vitamin B6 in order to produce melatonin and serotonin. Bananas and warm milk promote sleep by releasing natural chemicals for relaxation.
  • Several foods with a high glycaemic index, such as bread and pasta, can improve sleep. This is because after eating them, one's blood sugar and insulin levels tend to spike, causing one to become tired after this spur.
  • One should establish a daily routine of turning off the television, computers, and mobile phones an hour before going to bed in order to achieve an adequate sleep pattern.
  • Exercise and yoga can also contribute to a good night's sleep.
  • Take a hot bath. Sleep is normally preceded by a decrease in body temperature.

Is It Healthy To Drink Wine Before Sleeping?

To conclude, it is recommended that one should avoid wine consumption before sleep and rather use the diets mentioned above to ensure restful sleep.

The consumption of two glasses of wine at bedtime can increase a person's risk of becoming an alcoholic over a long period of time, which will result in not only sleep problems but a variety of health issues as well [7][8].

Therefore, it is imperative that individuals beware of this False Notion that wine drinking before bedtime leads to good sleep rather than the opposite, that is, wine drinking before bedtime will harm one's sleep and disrupt one's daily activities.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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