Researchers eating fat disturbs healthy sleep

Fat food: Tired during the day, awake at night
(aid) - Men with a high-fat diet seem to sleep worse at night and are often tired during the day. In addition, they have a higher risk of sleep apnea, in which there is always dangerous breathing interruptions in sleep. This is the conclusion of a study by the Australian University of Adelaide, in which some 800 men between the ages of 35 and 80 were involved.

Subjects provided questionnaires about their diet and lifestyle over the past 12 months. Based on these data, the average intake of macronutrients (fat, protein, carbohydrates) was calculated. In addition, the men described their sleep quality and their fitness during the day. For one night, the physical functions were recorded during sleep to record possible sleep disturbances and respiratory arrest. The body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference served as a measure of body weight.

Fat food makes us sleep bad. Picture: photo 5000 - fotolia

Protein and carbohydrates in the diet did not affect sleep quality. In subjects with the highest fat intake, however, the risk of pronounced daytime fatigue was almost twice as high. The relationship was independent of factors such as age, waist circumference, BMI, physical activity, shift work and chronic diseases. Drowsiness during the day can be a problem, especially in the job, if attention and concentration diminish.

In addition, people with a particularly high intake of fat had a threefold higher risk for a strong sleep apnea with more than 20 dropouts per hour. However, about 30 percent of this effect is due to a high BMI. One reason for the reduced sleep quality may be an altered hormone release. The exact relationships will be investigated in further studies. Moreover, it is unclear whether the results are also applicable to women.
It's easy to create a vicious circle, scientists say. Those who sleep badly and are tired during the day have less energy. This leads to greater craving for high-fat and high-sugar foods, which in turn impairs sleep. In short, a well-balanced diet can help you feel better during the day and sleep better at night. (Heike Kreutz, aid)