Research published in the Journal of Sleep Health has revealed a significant link between the consumption of fruits and vegetables and improved sleep quality. The study, conducted by the University of Chicago Medicine and Columbia University, examined the sleep patterns of 34 healthy young adults who reported their daily food intake and wore sleep trackers to monitor their nighttime activity. The findings suggest that individuals who consume at least five cups of fruits and vegetables per day experience a 16% increase in sleep quality compared to those who eat none of these foods.
While the study highlights the positive effects of a nutrient-rich diet on sleep, experts caution that its conclusions are based on observational data, which limits the ability to establish causal relationships. Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, a sleep expert at Wesper, noted that the study lacked the controls of a randomized trial and emphasized the need for future research to compare groups with varying dietary intakes to better understand the mechanisms behind the observed effects. Nevertheless, the study provides important insights into the role of diet in sleep health.
Co-senior author Marie-Pierre St-Onge, PhD, director of the Columbia Center of Excellence for Sleep & Circadian Research, stated that the results highlight the potential of small dietary changes to significantly impact sleep quality. She emphasized the importance of making lifestyle modifications that can lead to better rest, underscoring that improved sleep is achievable through natural means. The study’s authors have plans to conduct further research to explore the underlying biological mechanisms that connect diet to sleep, aiming to strengthen the evidence supporting these recommendations.