Originally published October 14 2005
Australian researchers say spicy food can help you sleep
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Andrew Davies, of the University of Tasmania, has conducted a sleep study that suggests spicy foods like chilies and peppers help people fall asleep faster and boost their energy levels.
It will come as a surprise to anybody who's been troubled by a sleepless night after eating a curry.
But a study has found that spicy food can help you sleep better - and also leave you feeling more awake the next day.
Researchers in Australia discovered that a group of volunteers fell asleep more easily when they ate food rich in chillies.
"They also said they woke better and seemed to have a bit more energy during the day," said lead researcher Andrew Davies, of the University of Tasmania.
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Over eight weeks, the 25 volunteers first ate a bland diet and then food spiced with 30g of freshly chopped chillies each day, the New Scientist reported.
Although at first they found the spicy food - the equivalent of two mild curries a day - disturbed their sleep, they quickly adjusted.
They needed 20 minutes less sleep a night and also had more energy during the day, moving around up to 30 per cent more.
It is thought the effects are due to capsaicin, the chemical responsible for peppers' spiciness.
It acts on sensors in our brain which control our sleep cycles.
Co-researcher Dominic Geraghty said chilli also cuts the risk of heart disease.
"We're not talking about a vindaloo every day," he added.
"Small amounts of chilli may just have small effects on a variety of cardiovascular risk factors."
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