Bridging the Reciprocal Gap between Sleep and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: A Review of the Evidence, Potential Mechanisms, Implications, and Directions for Future Work.

Nutrients. 2019;11(6)
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Both sleep disruption and a low intake of fruit and vegetables (FV) are associated with higher rates of premature death and chronic disease. This review looked at previous studies in order to determine whether there is a link between sleep and FV consumption. A recent meta-analysis found that shorter sleep duration is consistently associated with low fruit and vegetable intake in children, but in adults the association is less clear. Studies looking at the effect of sleep on FV intake had variable results. Tart cherries and kiwi fruits were the most commonly studied fruits for their effect on sleep measures. Observational studies tended to find that both short- and long-sleepers tend to eat less FV than those that sleep for 7-8 hours. A lot of evidence shows that people who go to sleep later (‘owls’) tend to consume unhealthier diets with lower intakes of FV than people who go to bed earlier (‘larks’). The researchers also looked at potential mechanisms for the association between sleep and FV intake. Polyphenols in FV may influence sleep by increasing neurotransmitters via the gut-brain axis, improving energy metabolism and through alterations in circadian rhythms and the CLOCK genes. Ways in which disrupted sleep may affect FV consumption included changes in hunger hormones, emotional stress and impaired decision making. With further research, interactions between sleep measures and FV consumption may be clarified and potentially reduce the burden of chronic diseases and premature deaths.

Abstract

A substantial burden of disease and mortality globally is attributable to both sleep disruption and low intakes of fruit and vegetable (FV) and there is increasing mechanistic and epidemiological evidence to support a reciprocal relationship between the two. This review provides an overview of experimental and observational studies assessing the relations between sleep and FV consumption from 52 human adult studies. Experimental studies are currently limited and show inconsistent results. Observational studies support a non-linear association with adults sleeping the recommended 7-9 hours/day having the highest intakes of FV. The potential mechanisms linking sleep and FV consumption are highlighted. Disrupted sleep influences FV consumption through homeostatic and non-homeostatic mechanisms. Conversely, FV consumption may influence sleep through polyphenol content via several potential pathways. Few human experimental studies have examined the effects of FV items and their polyphenols on sleep and there is a need for more studies to address this. An appreciation of the relationship between sleep and FV consumption may help optimize sleep and FV consumption and may reduce the burden of chronic diseases. This review provides implications for public health and directions for future work.

Lifestyle medicine

Fundamental Clinical Imbalances : Hormonal ; Neurological
Patient Centred Factors : Mediators/Sleep
Environmental Inputs : Diet ; Nutrients
Personal Lifestyle Factors : Nutrition ; Sleep and relaxation
Functional Laboratory Testing : Not applicable
Bioactive Substances : Polyphenols ; Serotonin ; Melatonin ; GABA

Methodological quality

Allocation concealment : Not applicable
Publication Type : Journal Article ; Review

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