Abstract
BackgroundDiet is a modifiable factor that may affect sleep, but the associations of macronutrient intakes with insomnia are inconsistent. We investigated the associations of protein, fat, and carbohydrate intakes with insomnia symptoms.MethodsIn this cross-sectional analysis of 4435 non-shift workers, macronutrient intakes were assessed by the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire, which requires the recall of usual intakes of 58 foods during the preceding month. Presence of insomnia symptoms, including difficulty initiating sleep (DIS), difficulty maintaining sleep (DMS), and poor quality of sleep (PQS) were self-reported. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs adjusted for demographic, psychological, and behavioral factors, as well as medical histories.ResultsLow protein intake (<16% vs ≥16% of total energy) was associated with DIS (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.99–1.56) and PQS (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.04–1.48), while high protein intake (≥19% vs <19% of total energy) was associated with DMS (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.12–1.76). Low carbohydrate intake (<50% vs ≥50% of total energy) was associated with DMS (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.97–1.45).ConclusionsProtein and carbohydrate intakes in the daily diet were associated with insomnia symptoms. The causality of these associations remains to be explained.
Highlights
About 30% of adults report 1 or more symptoms of insomnia.[1]
To better understand the factors related to better sleep hygiene, we investigated the associations of protein, fat, and carbohydrate in the daily diet with 3 insomnia symptoms in a large population of middle-aged Japanese workers
Macronutrient Intake and Insomnia of insomnia symptoms, participants with a protein intake of 16% or more of total energy were integrated as a reference group in the analysis of difficulty initiating sleep (DIS) and poor quality of sleep (PQS)
Summary
About 30% of adults report 1 or more symptoms of insomnia.[1]. Insomnia symptoms are associated with increased work absenteeism, accidents, hypertension, diabetes, and low quality of life.[2,3,4,5] The high prevalence and adverse impacts of insomnia make it a serious public health concern.Demographic factors (female sex, older age, and low socioeconomic status),[6,7] psychological factors (stress and depression),[8,9] and behavioral factors (smoking, alcohol drinking, coffee consumption, and lack of regular exercise)[10,11,12] have been associated with insomnia. Diet is a behavioral factor that may influence sleep.[13] A cross-sectional study reported an association between high fat intake and short sleep duration.[14] An interventional study reported that consumption of a supplement high in carbohydrate (total 130 g) 45 minutes before bedtime significantly increased rapid eye movement sleep as compared with a low carbohydrate supplement (total 47 g).[15] Another interventional study reported that tryptophan from dietary protein reduced sleep latency in those with long sleep latency and increased deep sleep as recorded by sleep electroencephalography.[16]. Conclusions: Protein and carbohydrate intakes in the daily diet were associated with insomnia symptoms. The causality of these associations remains to be explained
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