Food you should NEVER eat before going to bed

Many of us enjoy a sweet treat before bed. However, experts warn that even healthy options, like fruit, can pose health risks.

Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and tomatoes, can increase stomach acid. This may lead to uncomfortable reflux symptoms like heartburn. Nutritionist Kyle Crowley notes that this burning sensation often occurs in the evening.

Heartburn happens when stomach acid travels up toward the throat. It affects about one in four people in the UK. If untreated long-term, it may raise the risk of stomach and oesophageal cancer.

Worryingly, acid reflux symptoms can mask signs of these cancers. Symptoms include trouble swallowing and feeling sick. Experts suggest eating your last meal a few hours before bedtime to avoid these issues.

Crowley advises against having a full meal close to bedtime. Eating late can disrupt digestion and sleep quality. Research shows that late-night eating is linked to uncomfortable reflux.

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid irritates the oesophagus—the tube connecting mouth and stomach. Eating acidic foods in bed is particularly harmful, warns Crowley.

If you must eat in bed, sit upright while doing so. This helps improve sleep quality and reduces midnight wake-ups.

In addition to acidic fruits, avoid fatty foods before bed. Fatty foods release hormones that relax the valve at the bottom of the oesophagus. This allows more acid to flow upward.

Instead of acidic snacks, Crowley suggests nuts or milk if you're hungry at night. About 25% of people in the UK suffer from acid reflux.

A survey found that one in ten people eat their meals in bed nightly. Common symptoms also include a chronic cough lasting over eight weeks and frequent throat clearing.

People with these symptoms may not realize they have reflux. The oesophageal tissues might be numb from prolonged acid exposure.

These "silent" symptoms can lead to serious health risks if overlooked. The most severe consequence is oesophageal cancer, affecting around 9,400 people each year.

The NHS recommends contacting your GP if symptoms persist for three weeks without improvement.