A new study found that people with high cholesterol who eat inflammatory foods (like processed snacks and sugary items) may have more trouble sleeping. The research suggests that extra body weight and changes in how the body processes energy play a role in this connection. Scientists used a special diet scoring system to measure how inflammatory different foods are. The findings suggest that choosing less inflammatory foods might help improve sleep quality for people dealing with high cholesterol, though more research is needed to confirm these results.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating foods that cause inflammation in the body makes sleep problems worse for people with high cholesterol levels
  • Who participated: Adults with high cholesterol (specific number of participants not provided in the abstract, but the study examined real people’s eating habits and sleep patterns)
  • Key finding: People who ate more inflammatory foods had worse sleep quality, and this connection appeared to be linked to their body weight and how their bodies handle energy and metabolism
  • What it means for you: If you have high cholesterol and sleep problems, paying attention to eating less processed and inflammatory foods might help you sleep better. However, this is one study, so talk to your doctor before making major diet changes

The Research Details

Researchers looked at people with high cholesterol and measured two main things: what they ate and how well they slept. They used a special scoring system called the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) to rate whether people’s diets were more or less inflammatory. This score looks at foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables (which reduce inflammation) versus processed foods and sugary items (which increase inflammation). The study then examined whether the inflammatory nature of their diet connected to their sleep problems, and whether body weight and metabolic factors (how the body uses energy) explained this connection.

Understanding how diet affects sleep in people with high cholesterol is important because both poor sleep and high cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease. If diet is part of the problem, it’s also part of the solution—people can change what they eat more easily than some other health factors. This research helps explain the pathway between food choices and sleep quality.

This is a research article published in a peer-reviewed nutrition journal, which means other scientists reviewed it before publication. The study examined real-world data from actual people rather than just laboratory conditions. However, the abstract doesn’t specify the exact number of participants, which is important information for understanding how reliable the findings are. Readers should note that this type of study can show connections between things but cannot prove that one thing directly causes another.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that people with high cholesterol who ate more inflammatory foods reported worse sleep quality compared to those eating less inflammatory diets. The connection between inflammatory eating patterns and sleep problems appeared to be partially explained by body weight—people who weighed more showed a stronger link between inflammatory foods and poor sleep. Additionally, the study found that metabolic factors (how the body processes nutrients and energy) also played a role in this relationship. This suggests that inflammatory foods don’t just affect sleep directly; they work through multiple pathways in the body, including weight gain and changes in metabolism.

The research identified that the relationship between diet and sleep is complex and involves several body systems working together. The neuro-metabolic pathways (how the brain and metabolism communicate) appeared to be important in connecting inflammatory foods to sleep problems. This means that inflammatory foods may affect sleep through changes in brain chemistry and how the body uses energy, not just through simple weight gain.

Previous research has shown that inflammation in the body is linked to both high cholesterol and sleep problems separately. This study adds to that knowledge by showing these three factors are connected—that inflammatory foods may be the common link between high cholesterol and poor sleep. The findings align with growing evidence that what we eat affects sleep quality, particularly in people with existing health conditions.

The study abstract doesn’t specify how many people were included, making it hard to judge how reliable the results are. The research shows connections between diet and sleep but cannot prove that inflammatory foods directly cause sleep problems. Individual differences in how people respond to foods aren’t fully explained. The study focused on people with high cholesterol, so results may not apply to everyone. More research with larger groups of people is needed to confirm these findings.

The Bottom Line

If you have high cholesterol and sleep problems, consider eating more whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while reducing processed foods, sugary drinks, and fried items. This recommendation has moderate confidence based on this research combined with existing evidence. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before making significant diet changes, especially if you’re taking medications for cholesterol.

This research is most relevant for adults with high cholesterol who also experience sleep problems. It may also interest anyone with high cholesterol looking to improve their overall health. People without high cholesterol may still benefit from eating less inflammatory foods, but this study doesn’t specifically address them. Anyone with sleep disorders should consult a healthcare provider, as sleep problems can have many different causes.

Changes in sleep quality from dietary improvements typically take 2-4 weeks to become noticeable, though some people may see benefits sooner. Sustained improvements in cholesterol levels usually take 4-8 weeks of consistent dietary changes. Individual results vary based on how strictly you follow dietary changes and other lifestyle factors.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your daily inflammatory food score (rating meals 1-10 for how processed/inflammatory they are) alongside sleep quality ratings (1-10 scale) each morning. Look for patterns over 2-4 week periods to see if reducing inflammatory foods correlates with better sleep.
  • Replace one inflammatory food or drink you consume daily with a less inflammatory option. For example: swap sugary cereal for oatmeal, replace soda with water, or choose grilled chicken instead of fried. Start with one swap and add more as it becomes a habit.
  • Weekly check-ins: every Sunday, review your food choices and sleep quality from the past week. Track which days had the best sleep and identify common foods eaten on those days. Gradually shift your eating patterns toward those foods while noting any improvements in sleep quality and energy levels.

This research suggests a connection between inflammatory foods and sleep problems in people with high cholesterol, but it does not prove cause and effect. Individual results vary significantly. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have high cholesterol, sleep disorders, or are considering major dietary changes, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian before making changes. Do not stop taking any prescribed medications without medical guidance. This study is one piece of evidence and should be considered alongside other research and your personal health situation.