Eating More Fruits and Vegetables Linked to Better Sleep Quality

A new study from the University of Chicago Medicine and Columbia University shows that eating more fruits and vegetables during the day can lead to deeper, more restful sleep at night. Using sleep monitors and food logs from healthy young adults, researchers found a clear same-day link between diet and objectively measured sleep quality.

Participants who consumed more fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates such as whole grains experienced fewer nighttime awakenings and longer periods of deep sleep. Those meeting the CDC’s recommendation of five cups of fruits and vegetables per day saw an average 16% improvement in sleep quality compared to those who ate none.

Published findings suggest that simple dietary changes could serve as a natural, low-cost strategy to improve sleep and overall health. Researchers now plan to explore whether the connection is causal and how specific nutrients influence sleep mechanisms.

02-11-2025