For many people, late-night cheese consumption is followed by vivid nightmares and disturbing dreams. While the scientific evidence has been lacking, a new study confirms that certain foods before bed can indeed affect the night ahead.
Led by dream neuroscientist Tore Nielsen of the University of Montreal, the research involved 1,082 psychology students who took an online survey about their food habits, sleep time, and dreams. The results show that people who eat dairy or sweet products before bedtime are more likely to blame these foods for changes in their dreams.
The study found a strong association between lactose intolerance and food allergies with nightmares and poor sleep. This suggests that treating food intolerances and allergies may improve sleep quality and gastrointestinal comfort.
Nielsen notes that nightmares can disrupt restful sleep, leading to symptoms like anxiety and avoidance behaviors. He hopes to conduct further research to determine if specific foods can alter dreams, citing the need for more diverse populations and experimental studies.
While the study’s findings are intriguing, it is essential to note that self-reported data may not be representative of the broader population. Further research is necessary to confirm the results and explore the actual mechanisms behind food-dream connections.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/cheese-may-actually-fuel-nightmares-surprising-study-confirms