People will try just about anything to get good sleep, from white noise to weighted blankets to sticking their faces into a bowl of cold water. But it turns out, improving sleep quality may be easier than you’d expect, and it starts with a trip to the grocery store.
According to a new study, eating more fruit, veggies and whole grains during the day may help you sleep better that same night. “Dietary modifications could be a new, natural and cost-effective approach to achieve better sleep,” explains study co-author Dr. Esra Tasali.
- Researchers from The University of Chicago Medicine and Columbia University had healthy young adults log what they ate every day using a smartphone app and they wore wrist monitors to track how well they slept.
- They were specifically measured for “sleep fragmentation,” or how often they wake up or shift into lighter sleep.
- Participants who ate more vegetables, fruits and healthy carbs, like whole grains, had better quality sleep that night.
- Study authors estimate that eating the CDC-recommended five cups of fruits and veggies daily could boost sleep quality by 16% compared to eating none.
While that might not sound like much to you, researchers are impressed. “16 percent is a highly significant difference,” Tasali says. “It’s remarkable that such a meaningful change could be observed within less than 24 hours.”
Source: U.S. News & World Report