The body is a pretty complex machine — and in order for it to work at its finest, it needs nourishment and rest. But there’s a myth out there that one of our favorite foods may be causing a bit of unrest. And when you find out what it is, you’ll probably lose even more sleep.
It’s a total stereotype that millennials love avocados, but why not? The fruit is delicious in salads, and essential for guacamole.
But avocados might be preventing you from getting the shut-eye you really need to be at your best. And it’s all because of an amino acid called tyramine.
Tyramine, which is also found in nuts, activates a hormone called norepinephrine. Norepinephrine keeps your brain engaged, which might make it harder to fall asleep. Who knew that those lingering thoughts and fears about work might have been due to the avocado toast you had at breakfast?
Before you get all worked up, just know that this is just a myth. In fact, as Extra Crispy reports, avocados also contain tryptophan. You probably associate tryptophan with big turkey dinners, but the amino acid that makes you sleepy is also found in other foods (soybeans, cheese, beans, and eggs for example). It’s interesting to wonder whether or not it actually battles the norepinephrine. If so, an avocado (or five) shouldn’t have that big of an effect. Right?
In a situation like this, you might want to test it for yourself. If you’ve been having trouble sleeping, but have ruled out all the possible causes (like too much caffeine) you may want to take a look at your avocado consumption. If it’s a lot, or if you’re eating them at night, that might be the culprit.
Just remember, avocados have a lot going for them. They’re great at lowering cholesterol and contain a bunch of potassium. So, all in all, they’re still okay in my book.
