Link Between Poor Sleep and Poor Nutrition Is Significant

Individuals who sleep fewer than 7 hours per night consume fewer micronutrients and macronutrients than those who sleep more than 7 hours, according to new research. 

The study, which was presented at Nutrition 2019 on Saturday, June 9, utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey (NHANES, 2005-2016) and included participants aged 16 years and older. 

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To measure the relationship between nutrient intake and sleep, the researchers measured nutrient intake levels from food plus supplements using the National Cancer Institute method and assessed 7 sleep variables: sleeping fewer than 7 hours per night [short sleep] and trouble sleeping (NHANES 2005-2016), sleep disorder (NHANES, 2005-2014) and poor sleep quality, insomnia, sleep latency, and using sleeping pills more than 5 times in the last month (NHANES 2005-2008).

Among the participants who were aged 19 years or older, 32.7% reported short sleep, and short sleep was associated with poorer intake of magnesium, niacin, vitamin D, calcium, and dietary fiber.

The researchers also observed a significant association among the participants aged 19 years or older who had poor sleep quality (47.3%), a sleep disorder (8.94%), sleep latency (37.9%) who had used sleeping pills (9.30%), who exhibited insomnia (15.1%), who experienced sleep trouble (27.7%), or who slept for a short time with poorer intake of magnesium, niacin, and vitamin D

Among the women participants aged 19 or older, dietary fiber was the only nutrient that showed an inverse association with all 7 sleep variables.¹ Overall, there was a greater number of nutrients associated with poor sleep in women than in men, with dietary supplements appearing to help women in filling that gap.² 

“Whether chronic short sleep causes nutrient insufficiency or the nutrient insufficiency causes short sleep still needs to be determined,” said lead study author and Nutrition 2019 presenter Chioma Ikonte in a press release. “A clinical study that investigates [impacts of] supplementation with these nutrients on sleep outcomes is needed to demonstrate cause and effect.”² 

—Colleen Murphy

References:

1. Ikonte CJ, Reider C, Fulgoni, III, VL, Mitmesser SH. Analysis of NHANES 2005-2016 data showed significant association between micro and macronutrient intake and various sleep variables. Paper presented at: Nutrition 2019; June 8-11, 2019; Baltimore, MD. https://eventscribe.com/2019/ASN/fsPopup.asp?Mode=posterInfo&PosterID=203961. Accessed June 10, 2019.

2. Study links poor sleep with poor nutrition [press release]. Baltimore, MD: American Society for Nutrition; June 9, 2019. https://www.newswise.com/articles/view/713700/?sc=sphr&xy=10021927. Accessed June 10, 2019.