High-fat diet linked to greater sleep problems

Washington, June 11 : Researchers in Brazil have found that the more fat you consume each day, the less likely you are to get a good night's sleep.

The study, authored by Cibele Crispim, of the Federal University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, showed that total fat intake and dinner fat intake seem to influence negatively the sleep pattern in healthy adults.

The study focused on 52 healthy volunteers between 20-45 years of age, whose food intake was analyzed by a three-day food record. Their sleep pattern was evaluated by a polysomnographic recording.

"We showed that an increased fat intake was associated with a lower percentage of REM sleep, a higher arousal index and apnea-hypopnea index, and a lower sleep efficiency," said Crispim.

"These results showed that total fat intake and dinner fat intake seem to influence negatively the sleep pattern.

"However, researches in the nutrition and sleep area should be carried out to better understand these associations," Crispim added.

The study was presented at SLEEP 2008, the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

ANI