The relationship between adherence to a Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary pattern and insomnia
Since numerous sources have suggested the influential role of diet in insomnia, this 2019 study assessed the relationship between adherence to a DASH diet and the prevalence of insomnia in adolescent girls. The sample population consisted of 488 adolescent girls aged between 12 and 18 years from various regions of Khorasan Razavi in Northeast Iran. As expected, the girls with higher DASH scores (highest quintile) ate significantly more fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy products, fish, and nuts compared with those with lower DASH scores. Additionally, these participants with higher scores consumed less refined grains, red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages and sweets. As with its relationship with insomnia, higher adherence to the DASH diet correlated with less insomnia cases, when compared with people with lower diet adherence. In fact, the probability of experiencing insomnia was 49% less likely for those with higher adherence to the DASH diet. These results remained true after analysis models were adjusted for potential confounders. Rostami et al. therefore deduce that adherence to DASH dietary patterns was inversely linked with insomnia in adolescent girls. [NPIDs: insomnia, sleep, sleep quality, sleep duration, DASH, adolescence, Iran, sweets, sugar]
Year: 2019