Nature Health Study Links 3,598 Adults' Fiber Intake to Deeper Sleep as Late Calories Add 7.7 Minutes
Updated
Updated · GQ · Aug 26
Nature Health Study Links 3,598 Adults' Fiber Intake to Deeper Sleep as Late Calories Add 7.7 Minutes
2 articles · Updated · GQ · Aug 26
Summary
A Nature Health study of 3,598 participants found that higher-fiber days were associated with deeper sleep, while eating more calories about six hours before bed was linked to 7.7 extra minutes of sleep.
Fiber-rich days averaged 15.7 grams per 1,000 calories versus 9.1 grams on low-fiber days, and researchers tied the better sleep pattern to lower sleeping heart rates consistent with greater parasympathetic activity.
The study was observational, not proof of causation, though experts said the same-night association was notable and aligned with earlier research linking greater fiber intake to more slow-wave sleep.
Researchers and clinicians said the effect likely reflects broader whole-plant eating patterns—along with influences on the gut microbiome, inflammation, glucose regulation and metabolic health—rather than fiber alone.