Study Takes A Look At Food And Sleep

KYW Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There is no doubt that what we eat has a dramatic impact on our overall health.

Recently there have been an increasing number of studies conducted to take a look at the impact and one of the most interesting has to do with food and sleep. In the study participants were put on a controlled diet for four days. Over those days they consumed fixed meals prepared by a nutritionist that were low in saturated fat and high in protein. For the last day, participants chose their own foods - which were typically higher in saturated fat and sugar and lower in fiber than the fixed meals. Each evening they underwent sleep studies.

What they found is that when they were on the healthier diet they were able to get to sleep fifteen minutes earlier than when they were on the less health diet. Not much in the short run but over time it adds up.