Link Between Poor Sleep and Poor Nutrition Is Significant
Individuals who sleep fewer than 7 hours per night consume fewer micronutrients and macronutrients than those who sleep more than 7 hours, according to new research.
The study, which was presented at Nutrition 2019 on Saturday, June 9, utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey (NHANES, 2005-2016) and included participants aged 16 years and older.
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To measure the relationship between nutrient intake and sleep, the researchers measured nutrient intake levels from food plus supplements using the National Cancer Institute method and assessed 7 sleep variables: sleeping fewer than 7 hours per night [short sleep] and trouble sleeping (NHANES 2005-2016), sleep disorder (NHANES, 2005-2014) and poor sleep quality, insomnia, sleep latency, and using sleeping pills more than 5 times in the last month (NHANES 2005-2008).
Among the participants who were aged 19 years or older, 32.7% reported short sleep, and short sleep was associated with poorer intake of magnesium, niacin, vitamin D, calcium, and dietary fiber.
The researchers also observed a significant association among the participants aged 19 years or older who had poor sleep quality (47.3%), a sleep disorder (8.94%), sleep latency (37.9%) who had used sleeping pills (9.30%), who exhibited insomnia (15.1%), who experienced sleep trouble (27.7%), or who slept for a short time with poorer intake of magnesium, niacin, and vitamin D
Among the women participants aged 19 or older, dietary fiber was the only nutrient that showed an inverse association with all 7 sleep variables.1 Overall, there was a greater number of nutrients associated with poor sleep in women than in men, with dietary supplements appearing to help women in filling that gap.2
“Whether chronic short sleep causes nutrient insufficiency or the nutrient insufficiency causes short sleep still needs to be determined,” said lead study author and Nutrition 2019 presenter Chioma Ikonte in a press release. “A clinical study that investigates [impacts of] supplementation with these nutrients on sleep outcomes is needed to demonstrate cause and effect.”2
—Colleen Murphy
References:
1. Ikonte CJ, Reider C, Fulgoni, III, VL, Mitmesser SH. Analysis of NHANES 2005-2016 data showed significant association between micro and macronutrient intake and various sleep variables. Paper presented at: Nutrition 2019; June 8-11, 2019; Baltimore, MD. https://eventscribe.com/2019/ASN/fsPopup.asp?Mode=posterInfo&PosterID=203961. Accessed June 10, 2019.
2. Study links poor sleep with poor nutrition [press release]. Baltimore, MD: American Society for Nutrition; June 9, 2019. https://www.newswise.com/articles/view/713700/?sc=sphr&xy=10021927. Accessed June 10, 2019.