Ultra-processed food intake as an independent risk factor for chronic insomnia.

BACKGROUND: The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) is on the rise worldwide, and has been linked to numerous health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Few studies have focused on the effect of UPF consumption on sleep health, and even fewer on chronic insomnia.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and chronic insomnia in a large population-based sample.

DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional analysis using the NutriNet-Santé study data, an ongoing Web cohort in France.

PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: 38,570 adult males and females who had completed a sleep questionnaire (2014) and at least two 24-hour dietary records were included in the analysis.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Chronic insomnia was defined according to established criteria. Categorization of food and beverages as UPF was based on the NOVA-Group 4 classification.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: The cross-sectional association between UPF intake and chronic insomnia was assessed using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS: Among the 38,570 participants (mean age: 50.0 ±14.8 years, 77.0% female) included in the analysis, 19.4% had symptoms of chronic insomnia. On average, UPF represented 16% of the total amount (g/d) of the overall dietary intake. In the fully adjusted model, UPF consumption was associated with higher odds of chronic insomnia (OR for an absolute 10% greater UPF intake in the diet = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02-1.09). Sex-specific OR for chronic insomnia for an absolute 10% greater UPF intake in the diet were 1.09 (1.01-1.18) among males and 1.05 (1.01-1.09) among females.

CONCLUSIONS: This large epidemiological study revealed a statistically significant association between UPF intake and chronic insomnia, independent of socio-demographic, lifestyle, diet quality and mental health status covariates. The findings provide insights for future longitudinal research as well as nutrition- and sleep-focused intervention and prevention programs.