Unhealthy Eating is Linked to Poor Sleep Quality: Study

Unhealthy eating habits can lead to sleep deprivation, according to a study.

Health conscious people are particular about their diet and also ensure they exercise daily. Leading a healthy lifestyle improves the quality of sleep that in turn improves the body's immune system. In a recent experiment, researchers found frequent consumption of fatty food items and high sugar diet are linked with lack of sleep in adults. For the study, experts analyzed the daily diet pattern, sleep schedule of some women participants.

It was observed that women who slept for less than six hours every night reported eating high calorie food items than those who slept for seven hours. Women who had insufficient sleep were mainly worried about putting on weight by uncontrolled bingeing on fast food and snacks. On the other hand, those who strictly kept a watch on their diet could sleep without being bothered about weight increase or feeling guilty about eating fatty food items, reports the Live Science.

In addition, the study noted individuals who were on a special diet or ate less complained of feeling sleepy during the day, but those who ate normal diet didn't face any such issue. Participants who ate low-fat and low-cholesterol food during the day were not satisfied about their quality of sleep.

"So all the ladies out there, who are aspiring for a bikini body and yet cannot resist those mouth-watering pizzas and burgers, get set for a session of sound sleep first and do not let the habit slip out soon," said authors of the study, reports the Business Standard.

In past trials, scientists discovered that about 18 percent of the American adults sleep for less than six hours every day. This means about 53 million sleep deprived individuals are at the risk of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart diseases.

The authors believe that the current study identified direct association between food choices and sleep quality. They urge people to balance both for their overall health and well-being.

More information is available online in the journal Obesity.