New Sleep Study: Sleep Patterns Determined By Food Intake! Where Do You Fall?

Who knew daytime TV was so informative!? While sitting on the couch with Caleb trying to put him to sleep I was flipping through network television. I caught Dr. Oz’s intro to a sleep study and I decided to stick around to hear the results. I’ve had a lifetime of trouble in this department!!!  Turns out what you eat IMPACTS your sleep cycle.

A new study categories people into 4 unique groups. This is a VERY HIGH LEVEL RECAP. For more information, please visit the Dr. Oz website.

Very Short Sleeper (0-4 hours a night):

• Drinks the least amount of water out of all the groups
• Lacking Lycopene & Alpha-Carotene rich foods
• Consumes the least variety of foods in their diet

Consider:

• Starting your day with a glass of grapefruit juice
• Peppers, Watermelon  (red and greens vegetables and fruits)
• Get in your 8 glasses of water – make it a priority

Health Risks:

• Diabetes
• Obesity

4 nights of 4 hours or less and you can find yourself in a pre-diabetic state.

Short Sleeper (5 or 6 hours per night):

• Consumes the most calories out of all the study groups
• Eat about 50 extra calories per day
• Lacks vitamin C
• Lacks Selenium

Consider:

• Citrus! Add lemon or lime to your drink. 
• Mushrooms
• Brazil Nuts

Health Risk:

• Stroke 
• Heart Attack

Over Sleeper (9 or more hours a night):

• Lacking Theobromine and Choline

Consider:

• Chocolate!! An ounce of dark chocolate a day (don’t worry about caffeine – there isn’t enough in chocolate to disturb your sleep)
• Eggs, turkey and scallops

Health Risk:

• Hypothyroidism 

Ideal Sleeper (7-8 hours):

• Well-Balanced diet
• Drank the most water
• Healthiest of all the groups

Where do you fall??  I am a HORRIFIC sleeper!!  I think this is a very interesting study! I think that exercise needs to be included in this mix. I find that when I exercise, I sleep better.