Do you snore? Do you know that snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, an illness that can lead to serious medical problems? Well, you can relax, maybe. A team of scientists from Flinders University in Australia say that their research suggests that a diet that includes a large amount of vegetables just might help with Sleep Apnea.
People who eat a healthy, plant-based diet that is high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and nuts are less likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a study published in ERJ Open Research. However, people eating an unhealthy plant-based diet, high in refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, high-sugar and high-salt foods, are at a higher risk of OSA.
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Snoring is not just a problem for your spouse/partner, or the neighbors, or the people across the street. It can cause breathing problems while you sleep which can be bad for your heart.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing repeatedly while you sleep. These pauses can last from a few seconds to a minute or more and can occur dozens of times per hour. When your breathing stops, your brain and body don’t get enough oxygen. This can lead to a number of health problems.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses can last for several seconds or even minutes and occur many times per night. During these pauses, your oxygen levels drop, and your brain briefly wakes you up to start breathing again. This cycle can disrupt your sleep and leave you feeling tired and irritable during the day.
“Previous research has primarily focused on the impact of calorie restriction, specific dietary elements and weight loss,” said lead researcher Dr Yohannes Melaku. “There’s a gap in our knowledge of how overall dietary patterns affect OSA risk. With this study, we wanted to address that gap and explore the association between different types of plant-based diets and the risk of OSA.”
According to the study, people with diets highest in plant-based food were 19% less likely to be suffering from OSA, compared with those eating diets lowest in plant-based food. Those eating a largely vegetarian diet were also at a lower risk. However, people eating a diet high in unhealthy plant-based foods were at a 22% higher risk, compared to those eating low amounts of these foods.
Dr Melaku said, “These results highlight the importance of the quality of our diet in managing the risk of OSA. It’s important to note these sex differences because they underscore the need for personalized dietary interventions for people with OSA.
“This research doesn’t tell us why diet is important, but it could be that a healthy plant-based diet reduces inflammation and obesity,” he added. “These are key factors in OSA risk. Diets rich in anti-inflammatory components and antioxidants, and low in harmful dietary elements, can influence fat mass, inflammation, and even muscle tone, all of which are relevant to OSA risk.”
