New research shows that consuming sugary food during the day can impact the quality of your sleep, even if you get the same amount of hours. It can result in shallower and less restorative sleep. Therefore, it's important to be mindful of your dietary choices to ensure a more rejuvenating slumber.
Let's take a step back!
Sleep is a complex process comprising distinct stages, each serving unique functions. Deep sleep, for instance, plays a crucial role in regulating hormonal release. Furthermore, every stage of sleep is characterized by specific patterns of electrical activity in the brain.
A recent study published in the journal Obesity examined the impact of nutritious meals versus "junk food" on sleep quality in healthy young men. The study measured sleep quality in a laboratory setting to determine the effects of different dietary choices.
Here’s what they found:
- Regardless of the diet they consumed, participants slept for the same duration of hours.
- They also evenly distributed their time across each of the sleep stages.
- However, individuals who consumed the sugary food showed less slow-wave brain activity, meaning they had less restorative quality of their deep sleep.
As a result, consuming sugary food led to shallower sleep, similar to the effects of aging and insomnia.
What makes restorative sleep so important?
It is essential for…
- Aging with Grace
- Achieving Hormonal Balance
- Optimizing Metabolism for a Healthy Lifestyle
- Enhancing Brain Function, Mood, and Beyond!
The big question: are the gummy bears worth it?
Reference
Brandão LEM, Popa A, Cedernaes E, Cedernaes C, Lampola L, Cedernaes J. Exposure to a more unhealthy diet impacts sleep microstructure during normal sleep and recovery sleep: A randomized trial [published online ahead of print, 2023 May 28]. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2023;10.1002/oby.23787. [link]