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Sleep Patterns and Tryptophan Consumption among Students at Spanish Universities: The Unihcos Project
María Morales-Suárez-Varela1,2, Carmen Amezcua-Prieto2,3,4, Isabel Peraita-Costa1,2
1Research Group in Social and Nutritional Epidemiology, Pharmacoepidemiology and Public Health, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de València, Av. Vicent Andrés Estelles s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
Nutrients
|July 27, 2024
Summary
Lower tryptophan intake is linked to poorer sleep quality and higher insomnia risk in Spanish university students. This highlights the importance of dietary tryptophan for student sleep health.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Sleep Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Sleep disturbances are prevalent among university students.
- Dietary factors, such as tryptophan intake, may influence sleep quality.
- Understanding these relationships can inform targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sleep patterns in Spanish university students.
- To explore the association between dietary tryptophan intake and sleep quality.
- To identify specific student groups at higher risk for sleep issues related to tryptophan.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 11,485 Spanish university students.
- Self-reported data on sleep patterns, dietary habits, and demographics.
- Tryptophan intake calculated using a food intake matrix; analyzed by quartiles.
- Statistical analysis to determine associations between tryptophan intake and sleep parameters (short sleep duration, Athens Insomnia Scale).
Main Results:
- 51.0% of students reported short sleep duration; 55.0% had inadequate sleep efficiency.
- Lower tryptophan intake (<526.43 mg/day) was associated with increased risk of short sleep duration in both males and females.
- Low tryptophan intake correlated with higher insomnia scores (Athens Insomnia Scale) in both genders.
- Females in humanities fields showed a significantly higher risk of insomnia with low tryptophan intake.
Conclusions:
- Reduced dietary tryptophan consumption is linked to poorer sleep quality and increased insomnia risk in Spanish university students.
- These findings suggest that nutritional strategies to enhance tryptophan intake could improve student sleep.
- Further research should consider other social and environmental factors impacting student sleep quality.
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