Association Between Dietary Magnesium Intake and Sleep Quality in Saudi University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Sleep is essential for both physical and cognitive functioning. Magnesium, a vital mineral, plays a key role in sleep regulation. Adequate sleep and sufficient magnesium intake are critical for university students' overall well-being, academic performance, and long-term health. This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary magnesium intake and sleep quality in university students in Saudi Arabia.

An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted using an electronic questionnaire distributed to 1206 university students in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia via social media. Data were collected from December 2023 to March 2024 over a 3-month period. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and magnesium intake was evaluated using a magnesium food frequency questionnaire (MgFFQ).

Of 1206 participants, 305 met the inclusion criteria, of which 69% were female. A significant association was observed between shorter sleep duration (<5 h) and lower monthly magnesium intake (p = 0.008). Daytime dysfunction was also significantly associated with a low monthly magnesium intake (p = 0.009). The median PSQI score was significantly higher in females than males (p = 0.038).

Higher dietary magnesium intake was associated with better sleep quality, longer sleep duration, and reduced daytime dysfunction, highlighting the potential benefits of magnesium-rich diets for sleep health. Importantly, a significant sex disparity was observed in this university cohort, where females demonstrated poorer sleep quality than males. Therefore, dietary awareness programs that promote magnesium-rich food sources should be incorporated into student health initiatives to support improved sleep quality.