Gaby
Do you often disturb your loved ones or fellow passengers with your snoring? If so, you might want to pay attention to new advice from researchers at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia.
People suffering from a common condition known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at a higher risk for elevated blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Apnea is defined as a complete cessation of breathing for at least 10 seconds, often caused by the tongue falling back and accompanied by snoring.
According to a new study by a team of Australian scientists, a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts can help treat OSA.
How the Study Was Conducted
To investigate this, the researchers utilized data from 14,210 individuals who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the United States.
Participants answered questions about what they had eaten in the past 24 hours. The research team then categorized the responses into three dietary patterns: a healthy plant-based diet, an unhealthy plant-based diet, and a diet high in animal products.
The healthy plant-based diet included vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, tea, and coffee.
The unhealthy plant-based diet was high in refined carbohydrates (such as pasta and bread), potatoes, sugary drinks, sweets, desserts, and salty foods.
Meanwhile, the diet high in animal products included animal fats, dairy, eggs, fish and other seafood, as well as meat.
Participants also reported on their sleep quality, specifically whether they snored during sleep and if they suffered from apnea.
What the Researchers Discovered
The team found that individuals with a diet rich in plant foods were 19 percent less likely to experience snoring caused by OSA compared to those who consumed fewer plant-based products.
However, the researchers noted that an unhealthy plant-based diet could have quite negative consequences. Those adhering to this diet had a 22 percent higher risk of developing apnea compared to those who preferred a healthy plant-based diet.
The researchers believe that transitioning to a healthy plant-based diet is crucial, as reported by Science Focus. Such a diet typically contains more anti-inflammatory components and antioxidants, which can help reduce fat deposits, eliminate inflammation, and improve muscle tone.
As Dr. Johannes Melaku, the lead author of the study, pointed out, “These results emphasize the importance of the quality of our diet in managing the risk of OSA.” He noted that the study does not explain why a healthy plant-based diet is important for alleviating snoring. Most likely, the reason lies in its ability to reduce inflammation and excess weight, which are key factors in apnea.
The findings of the study were published in the journal ERJ Open Research.
