Getting rid of snoring could be this simple.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) poses a significant health concern, occurring during sleep when detection is least likely. A recent study delved into the impact of a plant-based diet on the likelihood of developing OSA, uncovering intriguing insights into dietary quality.
Led by Professor Sascha Fruhholz from the University of Zurich, the research revealed that embracing a plant-centric diet could potentially lower the risk of OSA. However, the study emphasized the critical importance of the diet’s quality in achieving this benefit.
Findings indicated that individuals adhering closely to a healthy plant-based diet (hPDI) experienced a 19% reduction in OSA risk, while those leaning towards a pro-vegetarian lifestyle also saw significant risk reduction. Conversely, consuming an unhealthy plant-based diet (uHPDI) was associated with a 22% increase in OSA risk.
Unhealthy plant diets, laden with refined grains, excessive sugar, salt, and heavily processed foods, were identified as the primary culprits contributing to heightened OSA risk. This distinction in dietary quality was pivotal in determining its impact on OSA development.
The study, based on cross-sectional data from 14,210 participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, employed the STOP-BANG questionnaire to assess OSA risk. MRI brain scans provided insights into participants’ brain activity during live music performances.
Published in ERJ Open Research by the European Respiratory Society, the study sheds light on the intricate relationship between dietary patterns and OSA risk. OSA, characterized by obstructed airflow during sleep, poses significant health risks, as explained by neuroscientist and sleep expert Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib.
Dr. Rohrscheib highlighted anatomical factors contributing to OSA, such as small airways, excessive throat tissues, and obstructed nasal passages. The condition’s impact on blood oxygen levels disrupts sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and increasing the risk of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Dr. Yohannes Melaku, the study’s lead author, emphasized the importance of diet as a modifiable risk factor for OSA. He underscored the correlation between a healthier plant-based diet and reduced OSA risk, cautioning against excessive consumption of processed and animal-based foods.
Michelle Routhenstein, a cardiology dietician, echoed the study’s findings, emphasizing the detrimental effects of ultra-processed foods on OSA risk. She recommended incorporating unsaturated fats from sources like fatty fish to improve dietary quality and mitigate OSA risk.
Overall, the study advocates for prioritizing whole, plant-sourced foods while minimizing the intake of processed and animal-based foods to lower the risk of OSA. This dietary approach, akin to the Mediterranean diet, holds promise in promoting overall health and well-being.
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