Scientists Discover Unexpected Link Between Diet and Sleep

Blood Sugar and Diet: Scientists Reveal Unexpected Causes of Sleep Disorders

According to a new scientific study published in the respected journal Frontiers in Nutrition, the quality of our sleep is directly related not only to our daily routine but also to blood sugar levels and the composition of our daily diet. This conclusion was reached by clinical dietitian and nutrition researcher Raeede Basiri.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend adults sleep a minimum of seven hours per day. However, the reality is that 50 to 70 million Americans regularly face various sleep disorders. The new study sheds light on a hidden cause of this problem – metabolic health.

The analysis results were quite revealing: people with diabetes suffer from sleep problems significantly more often compared to those whose glucose levels are normal. They more frequently report difficulties falling asleep, disruptions in sleep duration, and diagnosed disorders. Individuals with prediabetes showed a similar pattern, though less pronounced.

Particularly interesting was the paradoxical fact: diabetes patients who strictly control their diet and blood sugar levels often experienced deteriorating sleep quality. This observation indicates that not only the glucose level itself matters but also the composition of consumed foods.

Scientists found that diets low in protein, especially when combined with high fat consumption, have the most negative impact on sleep. Such dietary patterns were associated with poor sleep quality regardless of whether diabetes was present. At the same time, low-carbohydrate and high-fat diets were linked to a lower probability of insufficient sleep duration both in diabetics and in people with normal blood sugar levels.

The study authors emphasize that when formulating recommendations for improving sleep, it is necessary to take into account not only the usual daily routine and treatment of sleep disorders but also the state of carbohydrate metabolism and dietary structure. Researchers believe that a personalized approach to diet can become an effective tool for improving sleep quality and overall health.