A new study in Frontiers in Psychology has found a surprising link between nightmares and lactose intolerance. Researchers polled 1,000 students at MacEwan University in Canada on their sleep quality and eating habits and discovered that people with dairy allergies were more likely to experience severe gastrointestinal symptoms, leading to disrupted sleep.
Lead study author Tore Nielsen said that changing eating habits for people with food sensitivities could alleviate nightmares. This is especially true for those who are lactose intolerant and suffer from gastrointestinal issues. Nightmares can disrupt restful sleep, causing the dreamer to wake up in a state of distress.
The study found that 40% of participants believed late-night snacking or eating certain foods could lead to poor sleep, with most blaming sweets, spicy food, and dairy. However, only 5.5% suspected that their snack was affecting their dreams, with dairy being the primary culprit.
While the findings are intriguing, more research is needed to confirm the results. Nielsen emphasized the need for further studies on people of different ages, dietary habits, and food sensitivities. The study also highlights the importance of considering other factors, such as alcohol consumption, which can disrupt sleep.
It’s worth noting that not all cheeses have a negative impact on sleep. A 2005 study by the British Cheese Board found no link between cheese and nightmares, suggesting that a happy belly may lead to more pleasant dreams.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/07/01/health/sweet-dreams-not-if-you-eat-this-popular-snack-before-bed-study