Green Amit1,2, Sher Simona3, Siri Nohar3, Mizrahi Niv3, Dagan Yaron3,4. 1. The Research Institute of Applied Chronobiology, Academic College of Tel-Hai, Tel Hai, 1220800, Qiryat Shemona, Israel. amitg@assuta.co.il. 2. The Sleep and Fatigue Institute, Assuta Medical Center, 96 Yigal Alon Street, 67891, Tel Aviv, Israel. amitg@assuta.co.il. 3. The Research Institute of Applied Chronobiology, Academic College of Tel-Hai, Tel Hai, 1220800, Qiryat Shemona, Israel. 4. The Sleep and Fatigue Institute, Assuta Medical Center, 96 Yigal Alon Street, 67891, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Sleep and nutrition are central to an organism's continued physiological existence. Moreover, both of these functions include significant social-behavioral, educational, and cultural elements. This study examined the effects of two types of nocturnal dinners ("vegetarian" versus "meat") on the quality and quantity of sleep, as well as on subjective sleepiness and attention levels the following morning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 healthy subjects (10 men and 10 women) participated in a lab polysomnography study for two non-consecutive nights at the Sleep Institute at Tel-Hai College. They completed questionnaires (Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) and Brief Symptom Inventory Questionnaire (BSI)), as well as a computerized attention and concentration test (Conner's Continuous Performance Test-III (CPT-III)), on the mornings after each night of polysomnography. On the first night, subjects consumed a vegetarian meal made up of non-animal ingredients (vegetables and vegetable proteins). On the second night, they were given a meat meal composed of carbohydrates, fats, and animal proteins. RESULTS: No significant differences were measured in the various sleep parameters: efficacy, structure, and quality of sleep. There were also no significant differences found in the behavioral measures examined: subjective sleepiness (KSS), mood (BSI), and attention and concentration abilities (CPT-III). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that, contrary to popular belief, consuming a meat dinner may not affect a person's quality of sleep, or their ability to function the morning after, differently than a vegetarian dinner. Future studies should further examine the relationship between sleep and nutrition. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The clinical trial is registered under the number 0010-18ASMC.
INTRODUCTION: Sleep and nutrition are central to an organism's continued physiological existence. Moreover, both of these functions include significant social-behavioral, educational, and cultural elements. This study examined the effects of two types of nocturnal dinners ("vegetarian" versus "meat") on the quality and quantity of sleep, as well as on subjective sleepiness and attention levels the following morning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 healthy subjects (10 men and 10 women) participated in a lab polysomnography study for two non-consecutive nights at the Sleep Institute at Tel-Hai College. They completed questionnaires (Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) and Brief Symptom Inventory Questionnaire (BSI)), as well as a computerized attention and concentration test (Conner's Continuous Performance Test-III (CPT-III)), on the mornings after each night of polysomnography. On the first night, subjects consumed a vegetarian meal made up of non-animal ingredients (vegetables and vegetable proteins). On the second night, they were given a meat meal composed of carbohydrates, fats, and animal proteins. RESULTS: No significant differences were measured in the various sleep parameters: efficacy, structure, and quality of sleep. There were also no significant differences found in the behavioral measures examined: subjective sleepiness (KSS), mood (BSI), and attention and concentration abilities (CPT-III). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that, contrary to popular belief, consuming a meat dinner may not affect a person's quality of sleep, or their ability to function the morning after, differently than a vegetarian dinner. Future studies should further examine the relationship between sleep and nutrition. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The clinical trial is registered under the number 0010-18ASMC.
Authors: Cibele Aparecida Crispim; Ioná Zalcman Zimberg; Bruno Gomes dos Reis; Rafael Marques Diniz; Sérgio Tufik; Marco Túlio de Mello Journal: J Clin Sleep Med Date: 2011-12-15 Impact factor: 4.062