The importance of sleep hygiene for optimal health cannot be overstated, yet it often feels out of reach for thousands of Britons.
Persistent disruptions can signal underlying health issues, so if a problem continues, it may be worth investigating.
Sometimes, unhealthy eating patterns are found to be the culprit due to their negative impact on blood sugar levels.
This has led one neurologist to issue a warning about the worst possible bedtime snack that could be wreaking havoc on your sleep quality; cereal.
Cereal is one of the worst bedtime snacks for blood sugar
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Dr Dale Bredesen, M.D., identified sugary breakfast cereals as a particularly harmful choice for late-night eating because of their impact on sleep patterns.
This common bedtime habit has been linked to dramatic blood sugar fluctuations that can severely disrupt normal sleep cycles.
"One of the worst things you can do is eat a bowl of sugar cereal right before you go to bed," Dr Bredesen warned. "It'll spike your insulin, you'll have lousy sleep, your heart will be racing and then in the middle of the night you'll crash and you'll wake up feeling lousy the next day."
Research shows that eating the wrong snacks before bed can trigger a cascade of disruptive effects like needing to use the bathroom several times during the night.
Alternatively, if blood sugar levels drop too low - a phenomenon known as hypoglycaemia - causes the body to wake up in the middle of the night.
For these reasons alone, eating sugary snacks before bed has been identified as one of the most harmful night-time habits.
How to prevent blood sugar fluctuations?
The NHS recommends several healthier alternatives for bedtime snacks that can promote better sleep and stable blood sugar.
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Choosing the wrong snack before bed can cause dramatic blood sugar fluctuations
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The health body recommends nutrient-rich options that are low in calories and carbohydrates while being high in protein and fibre.
This includes hard-boiled eggs and low-fat cheese, which provide protein without causing blood sugar spikes.
For those seeking lighter options, celery sticks with hummus or baby carrots, which help maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the night while promoting a sense of fullness.
Not only will these bedtime snacks significantly improve an individual's sleep quality, but will also promote morning wellness.
