Did you know that the food you eat not only has a direct impact on your body weight but also in the quality of your sleep?
In a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, experts declared that increasing fiber intake and reducing sweets and saturated fats proved to be beneficial for individuals who want to have better sleep.
The study involved 26 adults composing of 13 men and 13 women with 35 as their average age. According to Huffington Post, each of the participants “spent five nights in a sleep lab, sleeping an average of seven hours and 35 minutes a night.”
For the first four days of the experiment, the participants were only fed a controlled diet. On the fifth day, they were allowed to choose their own food.
The results indicated that the men and women “fell asleep nearly twice as fast after consuming the controlled meals.” The food were specifically designed by nutritionists and each were high in protein and low in saturated fat compared with their meal on the fifth day.
Study author Marie-Pierre St-Onge of Columbia University’s Institute of Human Nutrition said “It was most surprising that a single day of greater fat intake and lower fiber could influence sleep parameters.”
The experiment showed that participants experienced “less restorative sleep” and “were more likely to wake up throughout the night.” During the nights they had controlled diet, the subjects only needed about 17 minutes to fall asleep while it took around 29 minutes when they ate their chosen food.
Dr. Nathaniel Watson, the president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine explained “This study emphasizes the fact that diet and sleep are interwoven in the fabric of a healthy lifestyle… For optimal health it is important to make lifestyle choices that promote healthy sleep, such as eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly.”
Although the researchers admitted that further study is necessary, it goes without question that consuming healthy food leads to better sleep and reduced weight.
via : huffingtonpost