A recent study has shown that ultra-processed foods (UPF) may be the reason behind the problem of insomnia that a third of adults around the world suffer from.
After analyzing questionnaires conducted on 38,570 people about their health and sleep, researchers from the University of Sorbonne Paris Nord found that people who suffer from chronic insomnia eat more ultra-processed foods on average.
The list of ultra-processed foods includes white bread, soda, fast food, canned meats, sausages, sugary sweets, salty snacks, in addition to many other foods widely available in supermarkets.
The researchers hypothesize that the effect of these foods on sleep may be due to the lack of healthy nutrients in these products.
The dangers of processed foods
In general, ultra-processed foods have become an essential part of diets, and are often rich in fat, salt and sugar, and poor in fiber and essential nutrients.
Ultra-processed foods are blamed for the increase in obesity, heart disease and cancer rates in Western countries in recent years.
Consumption of such foods has been linked to several health problems, including diabetes, obesity and cancer, says co-author Marie-Pierre St-Onge.
Although the researchers' findings are observational and have not been confirmed causally, they suggest that regular consumption of such foods may increase the risk of chronic insomnia.
Finally, they argue that melatonin, which contributes to the sleep-wake cycle, can be found in natural foods such as dairy, fish, fruits and vegetables, but is rare in processed foods.