(Reuters Health) - Older women who eat lots of sweets and processed grains may be more likely to suffer from insomnia than their counterparts whose don’t consume much of these foods, a U.S. study suggests.
Researchers examined data from food diaries for more than 50,000 women in their mid-60s who had already gone through menopause, a transition that is also associated with an increased risk of sleep problems and insomnia. They focused on the “dietary glycaemic index,” a measure of how many foods people consume that can contribute to spikes in blood sugar levels.
Women with the highest dietary glycaemic index scores - meaning they consumed more refined carbohydrates like white bread, sweets and sugary soda - were 11% more likely than women with the lowest scores to report insomnia at the start of the study period.
They were also 16% more likely to develop new insomnia during the three-year follow-up period.
“Our results point to the importance of diet for those who suffer from insomnia,” said lead study author James Gangwisch of the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City.
“Avoiding insomnia is therefore another good reason to avoid sweets besides weight control,” Gangwisch said by email.
While the study wasn’t designed to prove whether or how eating too many sweets and refined carbs might cause insomnia, it’s possible that hormonal changes may play a role.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-women-insomnia-diet/sugar-and-white-bread-tied-to-older-womens-insomnia-idUSKBN1YN2OQ
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