Study links ultra-processed foods to insomnia risk

Ultra-processed foods (UPF) may be associated with the insomnia experienced by an estimated one third of adults.

An analysis of dietary and sleep patterns, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics by Elsevier, showed a statistically significant association between consumption of UPF and chronic insomnia independent of sociodemographic, lifestyle, diet quality, and mental health status characteristics.

Ultra-processed foods are detrimental to health due to their high levels of added sugars, unhealthy fats, and salt, along with low nutritional value. These foods often contain artificial additives, preservatives, and flavourings, which can have adverse effects on metabolic health and contribute to conditions like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.

Additionally, their high caloric density and low fibre content can lead to overeating and weight gain. Regular consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases and overall poor health outcomes.

In a large-scale study involving over 39,000 adults, researchers investigated the relationship between dietary habits and sleep patterns using data from the NutriNet-Santé database.

Results showed that around 16% of participants' energy intake came from ultra-processed foods (UPF), and nearly 20% reported experiencing chronic insomnia. Interestingly, those with chronic insomnia tended to consume a higher proportion of their energy from UPF.

This association between increased UPF intake and insomnia was observed in both men and women, with slightly higher risk noted in males.

“Our research team had previously reported associations of healthy dietary patterns, like the Mediterranean diet, with a reduced risk of insomnia and poor sleep quality (both cross-sectionally and longitudinally), and high carbohydrate diets with an elevated risk of insomnia. The consumption of UPF is on the rise worldwide, and it has been linked to numerous health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and cancer,” said the authors.

While past studies have examined nutrients or dietary supplements in relation to sleep (for example, protein, magnesium), this study is novel because it evaluates a dietary pattern beyond nutrients and specific foods and shows that the degree to which foods are processed may have some relevance for sleep health.

Reference: Duquenne, P., et al. (2024). Ultra-processed food intake as an independent risk factor for chronic insomnia. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2024.02.015.