How does food affect the way we sleep?

Many of us are getting over our holiday food hangovers this week, but more and more scientists are looking at how food impacts sleep. According to a new article from Wired Science, orexin, a chemical secreted in the hypothalamus, can be effected by the foods that we take in resulting in either a tired or alert feeling. Sugary and carb filled foods have an effect on the orexin that makes our brain tell us to feel tired, when in fact the body may actually have plenty of energy. On the flip side, foods high in protein prove to be more filling and less likely to make us feel like heading for a quick nap.

Source: Wired