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Dietary phytochemical index and sleep quality: a cross-sectional study from Turkey
Dietary phytochemical index and sleep quality
Poor sleep quality poses a growing public health issue. Phytochemicals, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may enhance sleep quality. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the correlation between the Dietary Phytochemical Index (DPI) and sleep quality among university students aged 19–29 at Ankara University. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews utilizing a comprehensive questionnaire that assessed demographic factors, anthropometric measurements, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form), and a 24-hour dietary recall. The DPI was determined as the percentage of daily energy derived from phytochemical-rich foods, calculated using the formula: DPI = (kcal from phytochemical-rich foods / total kcal) × 100. The study comprised 472 participants, categorized into three tertiles based on their DPI scores: 27.14 (T3). The mean DPI score was 20.45. Notably, individuals aged ≥22 years, overweight, non-smokers, and those engaging in moderate physical activity were predominantly found in the lowest DPI tertile (p < 0.05). Results indicated that total PSQI scores, sleep quality, habitual sleep efficiency, reliance on sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction scores were significantly lower in participants within the highest DPI tertile (p < 0.05). Furthermore, participants in the highest DPI tertile exhibited a 14% reduced odds of poor sleep quality compared to those in the lowest tertile (OR = 0.861, 95% CI, 0.757–0.980). Thus, the findings suggest that superior sleep quality is associated with higher DPI levels. Future longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to further elucidate the relationship between DPI and sleep quality. [NPID: Phytochemical Index, antioxidant, sleep, anti-inflammatory]
Year: 2025
