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Nutritional Effects on Sleep

Many scientific studies have shown that dietary and nutritional choices have an impact and effect upon sleep duration and quality. It can be hypothesized that good quality sleep stems from a diet consisting of healthful dietary choices. Research is constantly being conducted in the attempt to discover what kinds of nutritional choices result in better sleep quality. Such studies have made some progress as to what diets enhance sleep duration and quality.

One study highlighted in The Western Journal of Nursing Research in 2011 compared how sleep quality was effected by four different diets including a high protein diet, a high fat diet, a high carbohydrate diet, and a control diet. The results of this study indicated that the diets high in protein resulted in less wakeful episodes throughout the night. It also asserted that the high carbohydrate diets were linked to much shorter periods of quiescent or restful sleep. These results suggest that ingested nutrients do play a role in determining sleep quality. Yet another investigation published in Nutrition Research in 2012 examined the effects of various combinations of dietary choices in regard to sleep. Although it is difficult to conclude one perfect diet for sleep enhancement, this study indicated that a variety of micro and macro nutrients are needed to maintain levels of healthful and restful sleep. This being said, a varied diet containing a good amount of fresh fruits and vegetables, low fat-proteins, and whole grains can be the best nutritional option for those individuals seeking to improve the quality of their sleep through nutritional means. It is important for the diet to be balanced and provide a variety of nutrients to the body to encourage better sleep quality.

In conclusion, one ultimate solution has yet to be found regarding nutritional choices enhancing sleep quality. However, studies indicate that a highly varied diet is connected to less wakeful episodes throughout sleep as well as longer periods of deeper sleep. In addition, it has been noted in several studies that a variety of nutrients are responsible in coming together to enhance sleep quality. Therefore, a diverse diet including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low fat proteins is the best nutritional choice to enhance quality of sleep.

Sources Cited: Lindseth, Gelinda, Paul Lindseth, and Mark Thompson. "Nutritional Effects on Sleep."Western Journal of Nursing Research (2011): n. pag. Web.

Peuhkuri, Katri, Nora Sihvola, and Riitta Korpela. "Diet Promotes Sleep Duration and Quality." Nutrition Research 32.5 (2012): 309-19. Print.