Nutrition and Sleep: Diet’s Effect on Sleep
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Jay Vera Summer
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Medically Reviewed by
Lulu Guo, MD
With about one-third of U.S. adults routinely falling short on sleep, many people are likely looking for ways to sleep better. Scientific research on the way certain foods and eating habits impact sleep may help. We explore the relationship between nutrition and sleep, foods that promote sleep, foods that can hurt sleep, and frequently asked questions about food and sleep.
The Relationship Between Nutrition and Sleep
In many studies, how and what a person eats have been found to impact how long and how well they sleep. For example, diets low in fiber, high in saturated fat, or high in sugar have been
linked to sleep that isn’t as restorative.
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Not eating enough fat, carbohydrates, or protein has been linked to less or worse quality sleep. Both caffeine and alcohol have been found to reduce sleep quality, especially if taken within
two to three hours before bedtime.
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Foods that contain the amino acid tryptophan, on the other hand, have been found to improve sleep quality.
However, more research is needed to fully understand how a person’s food choices impact their sleep. A
recent analysis of 26 research studies
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on nutrition and sleep concluded that there isn’t enough evidence to confirm that certain foods or ways of eating impact sleep, because of the way most research studies on the topic were designed. Instead, the study authors suggest that obesity, rather than specific foods, may influence sleep.
While more information is needed on how food impacts sleep, research makes clear that sleep patterns influence how a person eats and how the body responds to food. Falling short on sleep, which is sleeping fewer than seven hours per night for adults, may increase hunger and make sugary and fattening foods feel more rewarding, leading to overeating. Falling short on sleep may also reduce the body’s ability to break down sugar, leading to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart problems.
Foods That Help You Sleep
Although more research is needed, many studies suggest that certain foods and ways of eating may promote better sleep in some people. Foods may help sleep by contributing to adequate nutrition or because they contain sleep-promoting components, like tryptophan, essential vitamins, melatonin, or serotonin.
Foods That Can Hurt Sleep
Research studies have found that certain foods, drinks, and ways of eating may lead to less sleep or lower quality sleep. These are foods and diets that may contribute to worse or less sleep.
How to Eat Better for Sleep
Try these research-backed tips to see if food and nutrition can improve your sleep:
- Consume a balanced diet: A balanced diet contains adequate amounts of three types of macronutrients: carbohydrates, fat, and protein. In terms of carbohydrates, whole grains are preferred over simple carbohydrates and highly processed grains, as they are healthier and may improve sleep. Studies have also found that consuming too much or too little protein can negatively impact sleep.
- Eat your fruits and vegetables: A balanced diet should also contain ample fruits and vegetables. Eating an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables, that is high in fiber and vitamins, has also been linked to better sleep.
- Eat at regular times: The timing of when a person eats meals can impact their circadian rhythms, which also influence when a person wants to be asleep or awake. Eating late at night or within two hours of sleep may lead to less restful sleep. Irregular meal times may also impact sleep and are associated with higher rates of obesity.
- Avoid sleep disruptors: Caffeine has been found to disrupt sleep, even when consumed six hours before bedtime. Caffeine can be found in tea, coffee, soda, energy drinks, and chocolate. Alcohol is another sleep disruptor. Though it may help some people fall asleep faster, ultimately, alcohol can lead to lower quality sleep and more frequent overnight awakenings.
- Avoid nighttime acid reflux: Acid reflux can disrupt a person’s sleep. Eating certain foods in the evening may make acid reflux more likely. These foods include spicy foods, fried foods, high-fat foods, and junk foods. Avoiding these foods and avoiding eating in the two hours before bed may help a person avoid acid reflux at night and the poor sleep associated with it.
Contact a doctor or registered dietitian if you want help identifying the best diet to meet your nutrition needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nutrition and Sleep
Do You Digest Food While Sleeping?
Digestion continues while a person is asleep, but digestion at night differs from digestion during the day. The muscle activity that moves food through the esophagus, stomach, and intestines
slows down during sleep.
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This slowdown is why most people only have bowel movements while awake, and why acid reflux may be more common at night.
Does Your Metabolism Slow Down When You Sleep?
A person’s basal metabolic rate, or the amount of energy their brain and body uses, overall decreases during sleep. However, the metabolic rate will increase during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a stage of sleep known for vivid dreaming that’s more common in the second half of the night.
Can Sleep Help You Lose Weight?
Some research suggests that maintaining good sleep health is associated with weight and fat loss. Conversely, falling short on sleep may lead to weight gain. Sleeping less than the recommended amount is linked to a higher risk of developing obesity due to hormone dysregulation. Falling short on sleep may make a person feel hungrier, eat more, choose less healthy foods, and engage in less physical activity.
Does an Unhealthy Diet Cause Sleep Disorders?
Although diet hasn’t been found to directly cause sleep disorders, some ways of eating may be related to or worsen sleep disorders. For example, poor nutrition has been found to contribute to insomnia. Unhealthy eating may lead to obesity, and obesity increases a person’s risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Also, since eating times affect a person’s circadian rhythms, an irregular eating schedule may also worsen circadian rhythm sleep disorder symptoms.
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