ScienceDaily (June 10, 2008) — Total fat intake and dinner fat intake seem to influence negatively the sleep pattern in healthy adults, according to a research abstract that will be presented on June 10 at SLEEP 2008, the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

The study, authored by Cibele Crispim, of the Federal University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, focused on 52 healthy volunteers between 20-45 years of age, whose food intake was analyzed by a three-day food record. Their sleep pattern was evaluated by a polysomnographic recording.

"We showed that an increased fat intake was associated with a lower percentage of REM sleep, a higher arousal index and apnea-hypopnea index, and a lower sleep efficiency," said Crispim. "These results showed that total fat intake and dinner fat intake seem to influence negatively the sleep pattern. However, researches in the nutrition and sleep area should be carried out to better understand these associations."

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