Good and quality food can enhance sleep- Chioma Mmiriukwu

A registered Abuja-based dietitian, Mrs Chioma Mmiriukwu, says the quality of food eaten by an individual determines how soundly they sleep.

She explained that the composition of a diet impacted the quality of sleep an individual had and his/her health generally.

According to her, poor quality sleep could lead to diabetes and high blood pressure.

“It is known that low sleep quality can lead to health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

“Just as foods can impact health and other areas, they can also contribute to excellent or insufficient sleep.

“To improve our chances of quality sleep, protein foods like eggs should be eaten four hours before bedtime,” she said.

The dietitian also said that healthy fats such as avocado, coconut oil, lean meats and high antioxidant foods could enhance sleep hormone production.

According to her, vegetables and high nutrient fruits can detoxify high alkalinity, which impedes sleep.

Mmiriukwu added that sugary foods, simple foods and processed carbohydrates should be avoided at night because they could impede quality sleep.

She said that a recent study by Purdue University, Indiana, USA, found out that people who were losing weight through a high protein diet slept well.

The expert said the study proved that middle-aged adults who had a low-calorie, high-protein diet could manage their weight better and had higher sleep quality.

The dietitian also found that sleep and proper diet were essential modifiers of health and wellness, which positively affected overall health.