Study Links Cheese to Lower Risk of Sleep Apnea
If you’ve ever used cheese as your midnight snack, here’s some good news: New research suggests that eating cheese could lower your risk of sleep apnea. Yes, cheese may not just be delicious, it might also help you breathe easier at night.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is when your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep, leaving you less than rested. It’s more than just a nuisance, it can lead to serious health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke if left untreated.
The Cheese Connection
A study published in Sleep Medicine found that people who consumed cheese had a 28% lower risk of developing sleep apnea. The study analyzed data from over 400,000 people in the UK and Finland, using a method called Mendelian randomization. They used genetic information to mimic a natural experiment, helping them pinpoint a possible link between cheese consumption and better sleep.
What’s So Special About Cheese?
The researchers discovered that cheese affects several biomarkers associated with sleep apnea risk, such as testosterone, blood pressure, and certain proteins. The results suggest that cheese could impact metabolism in a way that reduces sleep apnea risk.
A Fatty Food With Surprising Benefits
Health experts were surprised, to learn that a high-fat, high-calorie food like cheese could have a positive effect on sleep? Clinical psychologist Daniella Marchetti points out that it’s not about labeling foods as “good” or “bad,” but understanding their role in overall health.
So, next time you’re enjoying that cheese platter just think, it might not only help you sleep but it could also make your dreams a little cheddar.
