Healthy Plant-Based Diets Cut Sleep Apnoea Risk, Study Finds

A study published in ERJ Open Research suggests that individuals who follow a healthy plant-based diet have a lower risk of developing sleep apnoea, a disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The research found that those who consume a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts had a 19 percent lower risk of sleep apnoea compared to those with a less plant-based diet. Dr. Yohannes Melaku, the lead researcher from Flinders University, emphasized the importance of diets rich in anti-inflammatory components and antioxidants in reducing fat mass and inflammation, ultimately influencing risk factors for sleep apnoea.

The study, which examined over 14,000 participants, classified diets into categories such as healthy plant foods, less-healthy plant foods, and animal foods. Participants with the highest adherence to a general and healthy plant-based diet were found to have significantly reduced odds of developing obstructive sleep apnoea. The impact was found to be more pronounced in men, aligning with previous research indicating the health benefits of a healthy plant-based diet in reducing various health risks, including prostate cancer. Further exploration into the sex-specific associations between diet and sleep apnoea risk is recommended by the researchers.