Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often a condition associated with poor sleep and chronic fatigue and sleepiness. However, it is known to be major risk factor for hypertension, heart failure, and stroke.

A recent study, published in ERJ Open Research, explored into the association between plant-based diets and OSA risk. Instead of just focusing on cutting calories where many other research focuses on due to the association between OSA and elevated BMI, the researchers from Australia examined the quality of the diet, particularly that of a plant-based one.

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers analyzed information over 14,000 participants. They categorized diets based on various plant-based dietary indices (PDIs), including healthy (hPDI), unhealthy (uPDI), and pro-vegetarian diet index (PVDI).

The investigators found that those with higher adherence to a healthy plant-based diet had a reduced risk of OSA by 19%, suggesting that a diet rich in wholesome plant-based foods could be beneficial for sleep health. On the flip side, consuming an unhealthy plant-based diet was associated with an increased risk of OSA by 22%.

Further analysis based on gender found that males who followed healthy PDIs had a significantly lower risk of OSA compared to females.

So, next time you’re planning your meals, consider reaching for those leafy greens and whole grains—as a healthy plant-based help you improve your quality of sleep and reduce your risk. The study just comes to show that real men eat vegetables.

YA Melaka et al. Plant-based and vegetarian diets are associated with reduced obstructive sleep apnoea risk. ERJ Open Research (2024). DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00739-2023