Hungry in the Night? Blood Sugar Dips Affect Sleep

blood sugar dipsSleep quality is influenced by more than just bedtime routines. One often overlooked factor is blood sugar fluctuations at night. Glucose is the body’s fuel for all of  its cells and it travels through the blood – so it has become known as “blood sugar.”

Your body naturally experiences a drop in glucose during the early sleep period, and sometimes in the middle of the night.  For some people, especially those sensitive to blood sugar changes, this dip can trigger waking, restlessness, or lighter sleep stages.

When blood sugar drops too low, the body can release stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, to stabilize glucose levels. These hormones can disrupt sleep and make it harder to achieve deep, restorative rest.

Over time, repeated nighttime awakenings due to blood sugar dips can lead to chronic fatigue, irritability, and even increased risk for metabolic disorders.

How to support stable blood sugar overnight:

  1. Evening snacks: A small snack combining protein and complex carbohydrates, like a slice of whole-grain toast with almond butter or Greek yogurt with berries, helps maintain steadier blood sugar levels.
  2. Meal timing: Eating dinner at consistent times each evening helps the body anticipate blood sugar patterns and reduces sudden dips.
  3. Minerals for balance: Magnesium and zinc help regulate glucose metabolism and insulin function, which in turn supports stable nighttime blood sugar.
  4. Limit sugar at night: High-sugar desserts late in the evening can trigger spikes and crashes, causing more wakefulness.

Other lifestyle factors also play a role. Getting outside for light exposure, regular activity during the day, and stress management help keep your body’s internal clock aligned, making your blood sugar patterns more predictable and sleep more restorative.

References:

  • Magnesium and sleep: Nutrients Journal, 2012
  • Zinc and glucose metabolism: Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 2014

FAQ:

Q1: Are snacks always necessary before bed?
A2: Only if your blood sugar tends to dip or if your dinner was early. Choose balanced, nutrient-rich options.

Q2: Can supplements help?
A3: Magnesium or zinc supplements may help maintain steady blood sugar and support deeper sleep.

This natural health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a publisher of nutrition articles and supplier of effective natural remedies since 2002. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes Sleep Minerals II, the original drug-free mineral formula for better sleep with calcium, magnesium, zinc and vitamin D.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Julianne H. of Canada says: “I continue to tell my friends about how Sleep Minerals II has changed my life. I am fully retired now but still remember driving to work and wondering if I would make it there due to sleep deprivation.”

“And the debilitating leg cramps that used to occur every night have now become history. My legs were sore even into the next day. It’s great to be sleeping so much better, no more sore legs, and my calcium levels are being kept constant.”

New Studies Discover Natural Remedies for Chronic Health Problems

health problemsRecent discoveries in the fields of natural remedies and nutrition have uncovered promising breakthroughs in the treatment of chronic health problems such as insomnia, arthritis, and anxiety.

These groundbreaking studies highlight the benefits of specific natural remedies that can improve health outcomes without the possible side effects and addiction of medical drugs.

A study published in the “Journal of Sleep Research” (2023) has revealed that calcium, magnesium, and zinc significantly improve sleep quality in individuals suffering from insomnia. These essential minerals are found in various natural foods, including leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and fruits like cherries and bananas.

Participants in the study who supplemented their diet with magnesium and zinc reported better sleep quality, falling asleep faster, and waking up less frequently throughout the night. Sleep specialists recommend magnesium as a key element for enhancing melatonin, a hormone made in the brain that is essential for good sleep..

The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, widely known for their anti-inflammatory properties, have been further reconfirmed by a “Nutrition Research Reviews” (2023) publication. The study demonstrated that omega-3-rich foods like fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts can significantly reduce joint pain and stiffness in individuals with arthritis.

Another recent study, which focused on the mineral MSM, was published in the journal “Osteoarthritis Cartilage.” The results showed that compared to placebo, MSM produced significant decreases in knee pain and significant improvement in physical function.  The use of MSM also resulted in better performance of the activities of daily living, as well as reduction in stress and better cardiovascular health.

With arthritis affecting millions of people globally, natural remedies offer an effective alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are often associated with harmful side effects such as gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular risks.  Joints and More from Nutrition Breakthroughs is a popular example of a supplement containing pure MSM.

***** R. Boulos of Houston, TX. says: “I’ve been taking the Joints and More supplement and it’s helping a great deal. After taking it twice a day, I notice that when I wake up in the morning the pain I was having in my front and back shoulders is almost gone.”

In the realm of herbal remedies, a recent discovery is the potential of the herb ashwagandha to alleviate stress and anxiety and improve mood stability. Published in “Phytotherapy Research” (2024), the study showed that participants who took ashwagandha supplements over 8 weeks had a notable reduction in cortisol levels, a hormone made in the adrenal glands that is responsible for stress.

Insomnia is a widespread issue, with 30% of the people in the U.S. having sleeping problems (per the National Council on Aging). With the recent discovery that calcium, magnesium, and zinc can significantly improve sleep quality and quantity, these minerals are becoming more popular as ingredients in natural sleep aids.  One example is Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs, widely known as the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid.

***** Doctor P. P. of Houston, Texas says: “I had developed sleeping problems and took two different sleeping medications over the course of several weeks. When I discontinued them the insomnia came back even worse. I literally got about 20 hours of sleep in 6 weeks time. Sleep Minerals II was just what I needed. I’ve been taking it for a couple weeks and getting many hours of sleep a night. As a doctor I would definitely avoid prescribing sleeping drugs — I would recommend Sleep Minerals II.”

As the demand for natural remedies continues to rise, these new discoveries offer hope for individuals who seek alternative solutions for managing chronic health problems.

For more info, visit the Sleep Minerals II page and the Joints and More page.

Reviews of Sleep Minerals II for Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a form of insomnia characterized by an overwhelming urge to move the legs when they are at rest, especially during sleep. Recent research studies have found that people with restless leg syndrome are deficient in the mineral magnesium.

Those who have restless leg syndrome experience unpleasant sensations in the legs described as creeping, crawling, tingling, pulling or painful. People with RLS often experience chronic insomnia and sleeplessness due to the strong urge to walk or do other activities to relieve the sensations in their legs at night.

In one study from the Romanian Journal of Neurology, researchers conducted tests in people with RLS. They found agitated sleep and frequent periods of night time awakenings, with a decrease of the deeper “rapid eye movement” (REM) sleep – also found in other forms of insomnia caused by magnesium deficiency.

Sleep Minerals II is a drug-free, calcium and magnesium based sleep aid that is one of the more effective restless leg syndrome remedies. The minerals are uniquely formulated in a softgel with natural oils, making them more highly absorbable than tablets or capsules. The formula soothes insomnia and helps everyone from older adults, to teenagers, to women with menopause symptoms, and even those with restless leg syndrome — to get a good night’s sleep.

Kimberly B. of Troy Michigan says: “I have been taking Sleep Minerals II for about a month now. I have tried everything out there and this supplement is amazing. I have suffered with insomnia for two and a half years and have had restless leg syndrome my entire life. This is the first relief I’ve ever had…it’s gone for a month now.”

J.M. of Florida says: “My restless legs were so bad that after 5:00 p.m. I could hardly sit down for two minutes without my legs moving. After taking the Sleep Minerals II for a while, my restless leg syndrome is greatly diminished and I’ve noticed I’m getting more and more sleep.”

Anne and Bob B. of El Dorado Hills, California says: “We find the Sleep Minerals very helpful for my husband’s restless leg syndrome. He does not do well on many medications and the drug the doctor prescribed for this was full of bad side effects. Out of pure desperation, I researched the internet and came up with an article about Sleep Minerals II and decided to try them. They have been wonderful. Bob continues to sleep much better and with very little, if any, movement in his legs.”

Valerie. H. in Santa Clarita, CA. says: “I had such bad menopause insomnia that I couldn’t fall asleep.  It took me hours to get to sleep even though I was very tired.  I also had creepy crawly feelings in my legs at night.  I got the Sleep Minerals II and started taking it.  I fall asleep now within 20 minutes and no more restless legs.”

Jill C. of Ellensburg, Washington says: “My husband has been struggling with restless leg syndrome his whole life. He couldn’t sleep more than three to five hours unless taking an addictive prescribed narcotic, which he became tolerant to and the insomnia came back with no answers. Now he’s been taking Sleep Minerals II for a week and every night has had a great night’s sleep.  We are thrilled.”

This news is shared by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a provider of natural health articles and effective remedies since 2001. Its mission is to provide nutritional supplements that get results and help people to avoid drugs and their side effects.  Since 2009, their natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II has been keeping that promise – by soothing even the worst insomnia with absorbable forms of calcium and magnesium.

For more info on Sleep Minerals II, visit this page.