How eating more cheese may be the secret to getting better sleep
There’s gouda news for cheese lovers.A recent study found cheese eaters are less likely to have sleep apnea than their dairy-eschewing counterparts.Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes breathing to stop and start repeatedly during slumber.
These sudden and frequent interruptions lead to disrupted sleep cycles and a range of adverse health outcomes, such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and cognitive decline.The study, published in the journal Sleep Medicine, analyzed data from 400,000 people who participated in two long-term studies, the UK Biobank, and the FinnGen Biobank.
The research team determined that cheese eaters had a 28% lower risk of having sleep apnea than those who didn’t partake.Further, cheese consumption was associated with 23 biomarkers linked to sleep apnea.“These findings underscore the potential of dietary interventions in public health strategies aimed at decreasing sleep apnea prevalence and associated health risks,” the researchers concluded. While sleep apnea can affect anyone, certain factors, such as excessive weight and thicker neck circumference, which can cause narrower airways, can increase the risk.
Older men are at a higher risk of sleep apnea, as well as those who consume alcohol, smoke, or use sedatives or tranquilizers.Increasing evidence suggests that the drops in oxygen are linked to years of reduction in life expectancy.Cheese is a rich source of protein, calcium, essential nutrients, fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, and bioactive peptides, all of which contribute to overall health.
Researchers believe these nutrient-dense qualities could positively influence metabolic and cardiovascular health, thereby reducing the risk of sleep apnea.While the health benefits of cheese are well established, this is the first study to focus specifically on the relationship between cheese and sleep apnea.
While more research is needed, the team is hopeful their findings will help provide insights ...