Drinking a warm glass of milk to help wind down before bedtime may actually be keeping you awake, according to experts.Scientists have discovered a surprising link between poor sleep and eating late-night snacks, particularly dairy products and desserts. In a recent study, researchers surveyed participants about their sleep quality, eating habits, and any perceived link between the two. Participants completed questionnaires, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Nightmare Disorder Index, to assess their sleep and dream experiences.Results showed that healthier evening eating habits led to better sleep and dream recall, while dairy, desserts, spicy foods, and meat consumed before bed were linked to nightmares and insomnia.The study also found a strong link between lactose intolerance and nightmares, with scientists suggesting that gastrointestinal issues or stomach pain at night may impact sleep quality.Ultimately, experts say it is unclear how the exact relationship between sleep and diet works, but found a strong link between lactose intolerance and poor sleep in particular.There is previous evidence that gastrointestinal distress and nighttime GI symptoms can disrupt sleep - a 2019 study published in PubMed studied 2,752 participants and found sleep disturbance was associated with GI conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).More broadly, research on nighttime reflux shows that when you're asleep, the mechanisms that normally clear acid from the esophagus work less effectively and therefore nighttime reflux can cause sleep disruption.Healthier evening habits lead to better sleep and recall of dreams, while the consumption of dairy, desserts, spicy foods, and meat products, have been linked to nightmares and insomnia