A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology suggests that consuming dairy products before bed may be fueling nightmares in some individuals. Researchers found a strong link between lactose intolerance and disturbing dreams, potentially due to gastrointestinal discomfort during the night disrupting sleep and bleeding into dream state. The study surveyed 1,082 students at MacEwan University in Canada and discovered that participants with lactose intolerance were more likely to experience nightmares.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Tore Nielsen, stated that changing eating habits for people with food sensitivities could alleviate nightmares. The findings imply that altering diet may be a simple way to improve sleep quality. However, the researchers note that more studies are needed to confirm these results and determine if the relationship between food and sleep is causal.
The study’s authors also suggest that dairy consumption may provoke digestive issues in lactose-intolerant individuals, which could affect dream quality. This mechanism may explain why people often blame dairy for bad dreams. While the study found a strong association between lactose intolerance and nightmares, it is unclear if other foods or factors contribute to this relationship.
Overall, the study provides new insights into the potential impact of diet on sleep and dreaming, highlighting the importance of considering individual food sensitivities when evaluating sleep quality.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/study-finds-cheese-increases-nightmares-2092536