Junk Foods Impact on Sleep

    Junk foods have multiple negative impacts on the human body, and recent research suggests junk food may negatively impact deep sleep. Previous epidemiological studies have shown how diet affects sleep; for example, diets with higher sugar resulted in a worse night’s sleep. Researchers at Uppsala University conducted a study to compare how unhealthy and healthy diets may impact the quality of sleep. Fifteen healthy male participants were both given a healthier diet and an unhealthier diet in randomized order. The unhealthier diet consisted of more processed foods with greater sugar and saturated fat content. Furthermore, the diets consisted of the same caloric content but were adjusted accordingly to each participant's daily requirements. The participants consumed each diet for a week, with monitoring of their sleep, activity, and meal schedules throughout. After each diet, participants were observed in a sleep laboratory to measure and record possible changes in brain activity.

    Then each participant’s deep sleep brain activity was analyzed, and conclusions were made about possible relationships between sleep and junk food. The results showed participants slept for similar amounts of time with both diets. However, when investigating slow-wave activity, less activity was displayed when participants consumed junk food. Slow-wave activity in sleep is vital, as it measures how restorative one’s deep sleep is. These changes in deep sleep exhibited when junk food was consumed are also exhibited when one ages or in conditions like insomnia. This study suggests potential concerns as an unhealthy diet may hinder deep sleep and its restorative properties. Prior research proposes an increased risk of health conditions when consuming junk food or not sleeping adequate amounts. Therefore, the combination of junk food and hindered deep sleep on the body may result in serious health implications. Further research must be conducted to represent a larger population and potential outliers. Adequate sleep and a nutritious diet are essential to one’s quality of life, and this study further explains the importance.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230530125400.htm