Does a Vindaloo keep you awake at night? Yes, a spicy vindaloo curry can keep you awake at night. Especially if you eat it close to bedtime. Vindallo curries are very hot. They contain a high level of capsaicin – the active component in chili peppers that gives them their heat. Chilis can play havoc with your digestive system and also have a stimulating effect. This affects your ability to sleep and can keep you awake at night.
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Does a Vindaloo Keep You Awake?
It’s a question we often get from curry lovers – does a vindaloo curry affect your sleep? And, the simple answer is yes. The hot chili spices found in a vindaloo can impact your sleep quality. The curry can affect your ability to fall asleep AND it can make it more difficult to stay asleep.
There are several factors at play here. And, each plays a role in determining how a vindaloo will affect your sleep. The key influencers are the level of heat of the curry, your individual ability to consume spicy food, and how close to bedtime you eat the vindaloo.
1: Level of Heat
A vindaloo is undoubtedly a super hot curry. But some vindaloos are hotter than others. The level of heat depends on who creates the dish and the mix of spices used. When it comes to keeping you awake, the hotter the vindaloo the greater impact it will have. And, milder vindaloos will have less effect.
2: Your Ability to Eat Spicy Food
Some people just have a greater tolerance for spicy food than others. This means some individuals can put away a vindaloo without breaking a sweat. Spicy food has little or no impact on them. For others, a hot curry will be a serious challenge.
A vindaloo will have less of an impact on sleep for a person who is used to eating hot chili dishes. On the other hand, people who are sensitive to hot food will experience a significant impact on their ability to fall asleep due to the discomfort caused to the digestive system.
3: How Close to Bedtime You Eat the Vindaloo
If you want a good night’s sleep, it’s best to eat a vindaloo early in the day. This gives your body time to work on the spicy food and have all the heavy lifting done come bedtime. If you eat the dish in the evening or close to bedtime you can expect it to have a greater impact on your ability to fall asleep.
How Does a Vindaloo Keep You Awake?
Vindaloos affect your ability to sleep in two ways. One, the intense heat of the dish can trigger discomfort in the digestive system. This discomfort makes it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Two, capsaicin, the active component in chili peppers has a stimulating effect on the body. It increases heart rate and perspiration. This makes it more difficult to fall asleep.
1: The Heat
The heat of a Vindaloo curry is caused by a natural compound called capsaicin. Capsaicin is found in abundance in hot chili peppers. And, a vindaloo curry is stuffed full of chili peppers. When you eat a vindaloo, the capsaicin activates heat receptors in the mouth and creates that distinctive heat and taste of spiciness.
2: Impact on the Digestive System
When you eat a vindaloo it will have a significant impact on your digestive system. Especially for those who aren’t used to spicy food. The overload of chili heat triggers acid reflux and heartburn in many. This makes it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. Drifting off becomes a challenge.
3: Stimulating Effect
Chilis also have a stimulating effect on the body. It’s not just heat and digestive system issues. When you consume hot food, especially food with an abundance of capsaicin, it has a stimulating effect. Heart rate elevates and perspiration increases. And, this is the last thing you need when you’re trying to relax and fall asleep.
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What Is a Vindaloo Curry?
A vindaloo curry is a super hot and fiery curry. It originates from the Indian region of Goa. It is made using a blend of chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, and aromatic seasonings. Its most popular version uses chicken. It’s one of the most popular spicy curries in Indian restaurants all over the world.
If you’re a curry lover and you like it hot, no doubt you’ve tried a vindaloo at some stage in your culinary adventures. The dish is known for its intense heat, bold flavors, and aromatic spice profiles. Its heat makes it a good choice for seasoned curry eaters. But it’s a bridge too far for people not used to hot curry dishes.
Vindaloo ranks as one of the hottest Indian curries out there. It is made using lots of spicy chili peppers that give it its distinctive kick. It is not a curry for the faint-hearted. Many find it too hot to handle. Other hot Indian dishes include madras and phaal.
Senior Editor
Josh is senior editor at Mattress Comfort Guide. He is an industry expert with over 30 years of experience in the bed and mattress industry. Josh is a native of Albuquerque and is a graduate of the University of New Mexico. He holds an M.S. in Project Management and a B.S. in Earth & Planetary Sciences.
He has worked in both the retail and manufacturing industries where he has held consultancy roles on mattress design and technologies. Josh has a particular interest in how different mattress types complement body size and sleeping position, and deliver optimal lumbar support. Josh is a keen sports fan and when he’s away from the office he likes to play basketball and catch the New Mexico Lobos games with his two sons at the Pit.
I eat curry a lot and spices don’t bother me. I can eat the very hottest curry. No problem. And then sleep like a baby.