University of Montreal Research Team
Survey Conducted on Approximately 1,000 Participants
A research study has found that the foods consumed before sleep can influence the content of dreams. Notably, the analysis highlights that consuming dairy products such as cheese may increase the likelihood of experiencing nightmares.
Recently, a research team from the University of Montreal in Canada published the results of their analysis on the correlation between food intake, sleep quality, and dream content in the psychology journal 'Frontiers in Psychology.' This study was based on a large-scale survey conducted with 1,082 university students from MacEwan University in Canada.
The researchers asked participants about their usual eating habits, health status, sleep quality, frequency of dreaming, and whether they perceived specific foods as influencing their dreams. Among the respondents, about 40.2% answered that certain foods affect their overall sleep, and of these, 5.5% felt that food also influenced the content of their dreams. Foods frequently mentioned as having a negative impact on sleep included dairy products, sweet foods, spicy foods, and desserts, while herbal tea, fruit, and vegetables were cited as foods that help with sleep.
The most notable finding was related to dairy products. A majority of participants reported experiencing more anxious and bizarre dreams after consuming dairy products. The researchers analyzed the relationship between food intolerance?specifically, difficulties digesting certain foods or components?and nightmares and sleep quality. They found that lactose intolerance, in particular, was associated with gastrointestinal issues, nightmares, and decreased sleep quality.
Tore Nielsen, the lead author of the study and a professor at the University of Montreal, explained, "Nightmares, gastrointestinal problems, and reduced sleep quality were especially observed in people with lactose intolerance." He added, "This is a natural result, as physical sensations such as indigestion, heartburn, and intestinal discomfort can be reflected in dream content during sleep." He went on to state, "These findings suggest that changing dietary habits may help alleviate nightmares for individuals sensitive to certain foods." However, the study is limited in that it is based on self-reported survey responses from participants. The researchers also noted that further research is needed to clearly establish a causal relationship between food and dreams.
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