[…] “Dietary modifications could be a new, natural and cost-effective approach to achieve better sleep,[ …]
Previous studies have shown that getting too little sleep can drive people toward unhealthier eating patterns, often higher in fat and sugar. Yet, despite how sleep influences well-being and productivity, scientists have known far less about the reverse — how diet affects sleep itself.
While earlier research linked greater fruit and vegetable intake with people reporting better sleep, this study was the first to show a same-day relationship between diet and objectively measured sleep quality.
[…]
The scientists analyzed a measure called “sleep fragmentation,” which captures how often a person wakes up or shifts between lighter and deeper stages of sleep during the night.
What the Researchers Found
The results showed that daily eating habits were strongly connected to how well participants slept that night. Those who ate more fruits and vegetables — and consumed more complex carbohydrates such as whole grains — experienced longer periods of deep, undisturbed sleep.
According to the team’s analysis, people who met the CDC recommendation of five cups of fruits and vegetables per day could see an average 16 percent improvement in sleep quality compared with those who ate none.
“16 percent is a highly significant difference,” Tasali said. “It’s remarkable that such a meaningful change could be observed within less than 24 hours.”
[…]
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Chicago Medical Center. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Hedda L. Boege, Katherine D. Wilson, Jennifer M. Kilkus, Waveley Qiu, Bin Cheng, Kristen E. Wroblewski, Becky Tucker, Esra Tasali, Marie-Pierre St-Onge. Higher daytime intake of fruits and vegetables predicts less disrupted nighttime sleep in younger adults. Sleep Health, 2025; 11 (5): 590 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2025.05.003
Source: Scientists say this simple diet change can improve sleep fast | ScienceDaily
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