Researchers from Finland conducted a study to determine the relationship between sleep duration and fruit and vegetable consumption. Lack of sleep can negatively affect immune system functioning, mental health, and cardiovascular health. The study found that people who consumed fewer fruits or vegetables per day either slept less or excessively. The ideal sleep duration recommended by the CDC for adults is at least 7 hours per night, but around 30% of adults do not meet this recommendation due to various factors affecting sleep patterns, such as sleep hygiene and mental health issues.
The study, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, involved 5,043 adults in Finland who provided information on their sleep duration, food intake, socioeconomic status, body mass index, physical activity, and health problems. Those who consumed around 460 grams of fruits and vegetables per day were more likely to get an ideal amount of rest compared to those who ate fewer of these foods. Sleep is crucial for cell repair, hormone regulation, and memory consolidation, and not getting enough sleep can disrupt these processes.
The researchers divided the participants into short sleepers, normal sleepers, and long sleepers based on how long they reported sleeping each night. Normal sleepers who slept 7 to 9 hours per night had higher fruit and vegetable intake compared to short and long sleepers. Short sleepers consumed an average of 37 fewer grams per day than normal sleepers, while long sleepers consumed an average of 73.4 fewer grams. The study also found differences in the consumption of specific types of fruits and vegetables among the different sleep duration groups.
The study did not find a significant influence of chronotype (morning or evening preference) on the link between sleep patterns and dietary choices. The results highlight the importance of nutrition in improving sleep quality. Keeping a food diary to monitor fruit and vegetable intake may help individuals make dietary adjustments. While the study relied on self-reported data, longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the associations and public health implications. The findings suggest that poor sleep behavior is associated with poor food choices, and interventions to improve dietary lifestyle should also consider the importance of sleep and other lifestyle factors.
Medical experts Sudha Tallavajhula, MD, and Devika Bhushan, MD, commented on the study, noting the association between atypical sleep patterns and lower fruit and vegetable consumption. They raised questions about whether stress-related conditions could impact sleep duration and food choices. Stress-related health conditions can disrupt healthy sleep habits and lead to atypical sleep duration, as well as promote cravings for high-calorie, high-fat, and carbohydrate-rich foods. While the study’s findings make intuitive sense, it is challenging to draw causal inferences and determine the direction of the associations based on the findings alone.
