Scientists were surprised by the impact of diet on sleep quality

Sleep quality depends not only on lifestyle and daily routine but also on blood sugar levels and diet composition. This conclusion was reached by clinical dietitian and nutrition researcher Raethe Basiri. The work was published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.

According to recommendations from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults need to sleep at least seven hours a day. However, experts estimate that 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia or apnea. New research shows that metabolic health may play an important role in these disorders.

Data analysis showed that people with diabetes experience sleep problems significantly more often than those with normal glucose levels. They more frequently complain about difficulties falling asleep, disruptions in sleep duration, and diagnosed sleep disorders. People with prediabetes showed similar trends, although they were less pronounced.

Another unexpected result was that strict control of diet and blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes was often accompanied by worsening sleep. This indicates that not only the glucose indicators themselves are important, but also which foods predominate in the diet.

Researchers found that diets low in protein had the worst effect on sleep, especially when combined with high fat consumption. Such dietary patterns were associated with poor sleep quality regardless of the presence of diabetes. At the same time, low-carbohydrate and high-fat diets were associated with a lower probability of too short sleep both in people with diabetes and in those whose blood sugar levels remain within normal limits.

The authors of the study note that when developing recommendations for improving sleep, it is important to consider not only the daily routine and treatment of sleep disorders but also the state of carbohydrate metabolism and diet structure. According to researchers, an individual approach to diet can become one of the tools for improving sleep quality and overall health.