New research shows that eating too much or too close to bedtime may do more than lead to weight gain – it may also disrupt your sleep.
The study, out of Federal University of Sao Paulo, in Brazil, focused on 52 healthy volunteers ages 20 to 45. Food intake was analyzed by a three-day food record. An overnight polysomnogram, or sleep test, was performed to evaluate sleep.
According to the results, positive and statistically significant correlations were found between total calorie intake and late-night snacking and awakenings during sleep.
While previous studies have shown that the distribution of food intake is capable of modifying hormonal and metabolic patterns during sleep, studies of the influence of food intake distribution on sleep patterns are scarce. This study, which analyzed the influence of energy intake on the sleep patterns in healthy subjects, concluded that total energy intake and late-night snack energy intake may increase sleep fragmentation in healthy subjects, and that sleep restriction in turn may affect nutritional and metabolic balance. However, further studies are needed to better understand the association.
The study was presented at the the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).
Leave a Comment