User:Boninem/sandbox

Carbohydrates have been show to be a significant factor of quality and quantity of sleep. Several studies have found that a large intake of carbohydrates decreases REM sleep and increases the number of wakeful occurrences during the night. The amount of time between consuming carbs and sleep can also decrease sleep quality.

A study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. found those who consume low carb diets enter into sleep sooner and have more REM sleep than individuals on a high carb diet. In this study participants were split into two focus groups, one group was placed on a low carb diet and the other on a high carb diet. The study found that the focus group placed on a low carb diet had on average an extra 34 minutes of light sleep, increased REM sleep by 12 minutes and individuals entered into REM sleep on an average of 45 minutes earlier than those placed on the high carb diet. It should also be noted that those on the low carb diet lost on average .7 kg of weight during the study. A study by the American Journal of Nutrition found. Maintaining a healthy weight has been linked to reduction in OSA symptoms and in some cases has completely cured individuals of OSA.

Another study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. found that a high carb meal 4 hours before sleep increased sleep onset latency and increased the number of wakeful occurrences during the night. The study found that those who ate a meal high in carbs 4 hours prior to sleep increased sleep onset latency by 14.6 minutes. Those who ate 4 hours prior to sleep also showed a significant increase in number of wakeful occurrences, and less REM sleep.