Sweet Dreams or Sugar Nightmares? How Halloween Treats Affect Your Health October 31, 2025 Sweet Dreams or Sugar Nightmares? How Halloween Treats Affect Sleep and Your Heart As Halloween rolls around, it’s easy to indulge in extra sweets — after all, who can resist a few chocolate bars or gummy lollies? But while a sugar rush might seem harmless, the effects of added sugar extend well beyond your waistline. Research suggests that too much sugar can disturb your sleep and increase your risk of heart disease — a truly spooky combination for your health. The Sweet–Sleep Connection Sugar is a simple carbohydrate, which means it’s digested quickly and causes blood sugar levels to spike — and crash — soon after. These rapid fluctuations can disrupt your sleep patterns. Studies show that people with higher blood glucose levels, including those in the pre-diabetic range, tend to experience poorer sleep quality and more nighttime awakenings. In one study, participants with high-sugar diets slept less deeply and were more restless during the night.1 When you eat sugar, your body releases insulin to help cells absorb the glucose for energy. But eating sweets close to bedtime overstimulates your system — giving you an energy boost when your body is meant to be winding down.2 High sugar intake also depletes magnesium, a key mineral for relaxation and sleep.2 To make matters worse, poor sleep can drive you to crave even more sugar the next day, creating a vicious cycle of fatigue and overeating.2 Unstable blood sugar causes people to eat later in the day, disrupting the natural sleep–wake rhythm.2 Over time, this pattern can leave you feeling drained and dependent on sugar highs to get through the day. Heart Health on the Line The effects of sugar don’t stop at your pillow. Excess added sugar has been strongly linked to heart disease. A 15-year study found that people who consumed 17–21% of their calories from added sugar had a 38% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than those who consumed less.3 High sugar intake can raise blood pressure, cause inflammation, and overload the liver — leading to fatty liver disease and insulin resistance.3 These changes raise your risk for diabetes, heart attack, and stroke.3 Sugary drinks are particularly harmful because liquid calories don’t trigger fullness, making it easy to consume excess calories without realising it. Better Habits for a Restful Heart You don’t need to skip Halloween altogether, but moderation matters. Avoid eating sugary foods within two hours of bedtime, and replace lollies with naturally sweet snacks like fruit or yoghurt. Pairing a little sugar with fibre or protein — for example, dark chocolate with almonds — can help stabilise blood sugar and reduce cravings. And for long-term heart health, limit added sugar to less than 10% of your daily energy intake — around six teaspoons for women and nine for men.4 This Halloween, don’t let the sugar monsters steal your rest or harm your heart. If you’re struggling with poor sleep or symptoms like fatigue, snoring, or chest discomfort, speak to your doctor — your heart (and your dreams) will thank you. How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time. If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply. References 1. St-Onge, Marie-Pierre, et al. “Fiber and Saturated Fat Are Associated with Sleep Arousals and Slow Wave Sleep.” Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, vol. 12, no. 01, 15 Jan. 2016, pp. 19–24, jcsm.aasm.org/viewabstract.aspx?pid=30412, https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.5384. 2. Moss, Stephen. “The Alarming Truth about How Sugar Ruins Your Sleep.” The Guardian, 12 Jan. 2020, www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/jan/12/the-alarming-truth-about-how-sugar-ruins-your-sleep. 3. Harvard Health Publishing. “The Sweet Danger of Sugar.” Harvard Health, 6 Jan. 2022, www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the-sweet-danger-of-sugar. 4. Alahmary, Sarah A., et al. “Relationship between Added Sugar Intake and Sleep Quality among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.” American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, vol. 16, no. 1, 23 Aug. 2019, p. 155982761987047, https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827619870476.
