Two substances that affect sleep quality have been identified

People with low magnesium levels more frequently complain about poor sleep, while higher zinc concentration in the blood is associated with a lower risk of sleep disorders. These are the conclusions reached by researchers from King Saud University. The results of the work are published in the journal Nutrients.

About a thousand volunteers participated in the study. The sleep quality of subjects was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index - a standardized scale widely used in clinical practice. In parallel, scientists measured levels of magnesium, zinc, and copper in the blood, and also took into account data on the intake of these microelements from food.

The most pronounced relationship was found for magnesium. Its decreased concentration in the blood and insufficient content in the diet were significantly more common in people with poor sleep quality. This pattern persisted even after accounting for age, gender, and body mass index, which indicates a possible independent role of magnesium in processes related to sleep.

For zinc, an opposite effect was found - higher levels of this microelement in the blood were associated with a lower probability of sleep disorders. However, the amount of zinc in the diet itself did not correlate with the quality of night rest, which may indicate differences in absorption or metabolism.

Copper, unlike magnesium and zinc, did not affect sleep either in blood indicators or according to dietary data.

The authors emphasize that the study does not allow to clearly establish whether a deficiency of microelements leads to sleep disturbance or, conversely, poor sleep eventually affects their level in the body. Long-term observations and experiments with supplements are necessary to answer this question.