Insomnia is often linked to several factors, including stress and anxiety, jet lag, and drinking caffeinated beverages before bed. There is other evidence that what you eat can also interrupt your sleep, including spicy meals and condiments which can cause wakefulness and make you feel too hot to sleep.

Many spicy dishes contain capsaicin, which increases your heart rate and often raises your body temperature. Additionally, some people may experience acid reflux or indigestion after eating spicy foods, making it uncomfortable to lie down and try to sleep, and acid reflux can cause spasms in the throat muscles and vocal cords, which can block your airway and lead to sleep apnea.

You can help balance your spicy snack with an acid such as lemonade, orange juice, or tomato-based food to help neutralize the molecules in the spicy food. Capsaicin dissolves in fat, so drinks and dishes that help to cool your mouth can also help offset the spice within your gut, particularly foods like milk, yogurt, and peanut butter.