Coconut Water

Coconut water should not be consumed at night.

Coconut water contains a high amount of minerals, and drinking one coconut is equivalent to drinking about 1–1.5 cups of water. Therefore, consuming it at night leads to excess fluids and minerals that the body must expel through urination, often causing frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom. Drinking coconut water in the evening can also make the body feel cold. It’s best to drink coconut water in the morning or at noon to fully benefit from its health advantages.

Carbonated Soft Drinks

This is a favorite beverage for many people. However, drinking too much soda at night can damage the stomach. When carbonated drinks enter the stomach, they create internal pressure, leading to bloating, indigestion, and possibly even increased blood pressure.

Moreover, regularly consuming soft drinks at night raises the risk of obesity. That’s because sodas often contain large amounts of sugar and artificial flavoring chemicals, which contribute to fat accumulation and negatively impact weight control.

Coffee

Coffee is not only acidic but also contains caffeine, which further increases stomach acidity. If you must drink it, opt for decaffeinated coffee, which usually has lower acid levels than regular coffee.

So, what should you eat when late-night hunger strikes? Dr. Koufman recommends low-acid foods such as bananas, a bowl of low-sugar cereal with low-fat milk, or her personal favorite — chamomile tea. “It’s very soothing,” she says. “It helps settle the stomach and balance digestion.”

Ginseng Tea and Ginger Water

Beverages that may seem healthy, such as ginseng tea, should also be avoided at night. They can worsen insomnia by raising blood pressure.

Fruit Juice

Drinking fruit juice after dinner can have more harmful effects than you might expect. Fruit juices often contain large amounts of glucose, fructose, sucrose, artificial sweeteners, flavorings, and starch. Consuming them after dinner — when the stomach is already processing a large volume of food — puts additional strain on the stomach, intestines, and pancreas. Moreover, drinking fruit juice at night increases the risk of obesity due to the high sugar intake.

Energy Drinks

Feeling tired after dinner and turning to energy drinks is a mistake. Most energy drinks contain significant amounts of caffeine and other stimulants that cause a temporary feeling of alertness. However, if consumed after dinner and before bedtime, they can leave you restless and unable to sleep through the night.