A new study has suggested that some chronic conditions could potentially be prevented with appropriate sleep advice. Men face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, while women could have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and osteopenia, the study found.
It shed light on the surprising impact your nightly routine can have on your body, and how your meals could be the main factor undermining it all.
It was found that diet had a greater influence on sleep quality than BMI, especially for women. Dietary habits, gut microbiome and mental health were more effective at predicting sleep problems than these traditional factors.
This emphasised how our diet can affect our sleep, which in turn can trigger a cascade of health issues. Post-menopausal women experiencing sleep issues were found to be at an even higher risk for associated osteoporosis than their younger counterparts.
Sleep apnea, which can include snoring as the body struggles to get enough air during the night, may lead to a higher risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Insufficient or poor-quality sleep could increase the risk of endocrinology diseases, including diabetes and hyperthyroidism.
Significant changes in sleep duration and depth were also linked to increased inflammation and immune system issues.
In the study, behaviours such as smoking and watching TV were found to have the greatest impact on self-reported sleepiness. Sedentary lifestyle and levels of physical activity were also discovered to influence sleep patterns.
The research, published in the Nature Medicine journal, tracked thousands of individuals aged between 40 and 75 to examine how sleep affects a person’s mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
Scientists hope these findings can help those struggling with various disorders receive personalised sleep-based interventions to prevent chronic conditions.
However, it was also highlighted that future studies could further explore the relationship between these diseases and sleep quality. Overall, it is hoped this will encourage people to be more mindful of their diets and sleep to improve their overall health.
