The Link Between Diet and Sleep

By Beth Greenwood

Catching adequate ZZZs makes a big difference to your overall health, and it may be tied to what you do and do not eat.

A review of multiple studies on the connection between dietary changes and sleep patterns showed mixed results. However, some of the studies showed that dietary changes could have positive effects on sleep quality and duration.
Research is increasingly showing links between chronic diseases and sleep, according to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School.
Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Sleep deprivation is also associated with an increased risk of mood disorders and decreased immune function.
Adam P. Knowlden, PhD, led the review team. Dr. Knowlden is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Science at the University of Alabama.
Dr. Knowlden and his colleagues evaluated 21 studies of people ranging in age from 18 to 50.
Most of the studies were small, with 10 to 12 participants. Most were conducted in a laboratory under controlled conditions.
The studies looked at such variables as how long it took people to go to sleep, how long they stayed asleep and whether they woke refreshed. Study participants were generally healthy, although some had insomnia.
Eight of the 17 laboratory-controlled studies showed an improvement in at least one aspect of sleep.
Dr. Knowlden and his team found that manipulating the composition of the meals had some effects. Some studies increased the total amount of protein while others increased carbohydrates.
According to Dr. Knowlden and the team, proteins containing tryptophan (an amino acid) combined with carbohydrates improved sleep in people with insomnia. Meals rich in tryptophan eaten before bedtime also increased morning alertness.
The researchers noted the studies were small and generally short. This limited the ability to draw conclusions.
The study was published in the April issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
The study did not receive outside funding and none of the authors reported a conflict of interest.

http://www.dailyrxnews.com/review-data-shows-some-dietary-changes-may-have-effects-sleep