A new study has confirmed the theory that eating cheese before sleep could increase the chances of having nightmares.
Published in Frontiers in Psychology, the research surveyed over 1,000 participants to explore how different foods, food sensitivities, and sleep quality relate to dream content.
The findings showed that dairy products, including cheese, were associated with a higher likelihood of disturbing dreams. Approximately 25 percent of participants who reported food-related dreams identified dairy consumption as a possible cause.
Cheese isn’t the only food that causes nightmares
Other foods were also linked to nightmares, with desserts and sweets scoring even higher, at 31 percent, in terms of association with unsettling dreams.
Participants with food allergies or lactose intolerance appeared to be more susceptible to nightmares after consuming dairy. Gastrointestinal discomfort, such as bloating or cramping, may disrupt sleep, causing small awakenings known as micro-arousals. These brief interruptions in sleep are thought to make people more likely to recall vivid or unsettling dreams.
The study also examined other eating habits. It found that consuming food late at night or eating when not hungry was linked to poorer sleep quality and a higher frequency of disturbing dreams. In contrast, diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and herbal teas were associated with better sleep and fewer nightmares.
The connection between cheese and strange dreams is not new. Cultural references to this idea can be traced back to the early 20th century.
This isn’t the first study that’s gone viral on social media recently, either. Back in May, one revealed which text message left people “emotionally triggered.”
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