Night Sweats After Eating Carbs or Sugar? Here's What's Behind It

How Eating Too Much Sugar Can Cause Night Sweats

Carbohydrates — a class of nutrient that includes starches, fiber and sugar — are a key source of fuel for your body, per the American Diabetes Association.

The amount and types of carbs you eat can have a direct influence on your blood sugar levels. For example, starchy, fibrous and naturally sugary carbs — like grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables — provide sustained energy.

So if you're wondering why you get hot flashes after you eat or why you sweat after eating sugar, these blood glucose crashes may be to blame. They can happen to anyone, and can be especially common during diabetes treatment, per the Mayo Clinic.

Other Symptoms of Hypoglycemia During Sleep

Sweating and feeling hot at night isn't the only symptom of hypoglycemia. Per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, other nighttime symptoms include:

  • Having nightmares or crying out
  • Feeling fatigued the next morning
  • Feeling disoriented when you wake up
  • Irritability

How to Deal With Night Sweats

Binge eating carb-rich foods or eating too much sugar before bed can lead to sweating all night, so stop snacking about three hours before you go to sleep to give your body time to properly digest, per the Mayo Clinic.

Also, steer clear of other foods and beverages that can trigger sweating, such as alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

On the other hand, if you have diabetes and are already feeling cold and clammy from a hypoglycemia episode, eating or drinking something sugary — like fruit juice, honey or sugar — can help stabilize your blood glucose quickly, per the Mayo Clinic.

Whether you're feeling hot after eating carbs or have night sweats for another reason, Dr. Hong says these other tips can also help you stay more cool while you snooze:

  • Sleeping with a fan on
  • Wearing loose cotton clothing to bed
  • Using cotton bed linens
  • Staying hydrated

Tip

If you're experiencing night sweats along with other symptoms like fever, cough or weight loss, an underlying illness may be to blame, says Steven Reisman, MD, a cardiologist at the New York Cardiac Diagnostic Center in New York City. If this is the case for you, visit your doctor to identify and treat the root condition.

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