The Nutrition of Snoring
The following is the Nutrition Chapter of our booklet called
"How to Stop Your Snoring… WITHOUT Surgery!".
Allergies
Surprisingly, many people aren’t entirely sure of what they’re allergic to!
It sounds strange, and yes, people are typically aware of the major things
that they’re allergic to, but the minor things – the things that promote
congestion, runny eyes, and minor breathing difficulty – are often neglected.
The idea here is to carefully monitor any adverse reactions that you might
have to food, drink, or anything at all (including pets!). Anything that
leads to congestion can enhance snoring.
So if, for example, you discover that an hour after you drink milk you feel
stuffy, then watch out if you’re a snorer! Simply changing your diet
around, or in this case choosing to avoid milk – or at least not drink it
close to bedtime – could substantially improve your snoring problem.
For people with some fruit allergies, vitamin C can be a significant irritant.
People should monitor their reactions when taking vitamin C in both supplement
and direct form (through fruit or juice). Other foods that can lead
to excess snoring are noted below in the “Eating Right” section.
Eating Right
We’ve already noted that some foods can enhance congestion. These can include:
- dairy products
- fried foods
- chocolate
- frozen foods
- some baked goods (e.g. pizza)
Generally, these foods should be avoided by snorers; or, at least, they
should not be consumed near bedtime.
We’ve also noted that excess weight can lead to snoring, as it has the
dual effect of enlarging the flesh of the neck (thus providing more
tissue/skin for the air to vibrate against), and reduce efficiency of
the lungs, thus requiring the body to compensate by pushing harder to expel carbon
dioxide (thereby increasing the force of wind through the airway).
However, there are some foods that are purported to be good for snorers; which
means, of course, that they can possibly help alleviate some degree of snoring;
or perhaps wipe it out completely! (Hey, it’s possible!). These anti-snore-friendly
foods (i.e. foods that tone the trachea) include:
- mustard greens
- pears
- thyme
- horseradish
- onions
- garlic
- leeks
- scallions
- lobster
- seaweed
Healthy Living
Generally speaking, a healthy lifestyle is conducive to not snoring. Of course, there are exceptions, and many factors (such as hereditary, environment, and other health ailments) can lead to snoring despite an attempt to live and eat well.
Mindful of this, the following healthy living suggestions could help alleviate or outright cease some forms of snoring:
- avoiding alcohol (promotes too much relaxation of the trachea)
- avoiding sleeping pills (same as above)
- quitting smoking (can irritate the trachea and lead to congestion)
- avoiding caffeine and other diuretics (dehydration can lead to respiratory problems)
Of course, it’s also important to note that there is (as yet) no
magic food that will alleviate snoring. So beware of any advice, brands, or
food products that promise an end to snoring!
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