Study Finds Plant-Based Diet Linked to Lower Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

According to a study published in ERJ Open Research, people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are less likely to eat a plant-based diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. An unhealthy plant-based diet high in sugary drinks, refined carbohydrates, and high-sugar, high-salt foods increases the risk of developing OSA in individuals. Throughout the night, people with OSA frequently snore loudly, breathe in and out, and sometimes wake up several times. In addition to making you tired, this could make you more susceptible to heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. This new study is among the first extensive analyses to look into the relationship between the risk of OSA and plant-based diets.

Researchers said its findings suggest that eating a healthy, plant-based diet may help prevent or treat OSA.
The research was led by Dr Yohannes Melaku from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia.
He said, “Risk factors for obstructive sleep apnoea may stem from genetics or behaviour, including diet. Previous research has primarily focused on the impact of calorie restriction, specific dietary elements and weight loss. There’s a gap in our knowledge of how overall dietary patterns affect OSA risk. With this study, we wanted to address that gap and explore the association between different types of plant-based diets and the risk of OSA.”

Data from 14,210 participants in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in the study. Each participant was asked to describe every meal they had consumed in the previous twenty-four hours. The data was categorized by researchers based on the participants’ dietary habits: either they followed a plant-based diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, tea, and coffee, or they consumed a diet high in animal products, such as dairy, eggs, fish, and meat. Additionally, they examined whether or not the population was consuming an unhealthy plant-based diet, which included foods high in sugar, potatoes, refined grains, sweets, desserts, and salty foods.

People with diets highest in plant-based food were 19% less likely to be suffering from OSA, compared with those eating diets lowest in plant-based food. Those eating a largely vegetarian diet were also at a lower risk. However, people eating a diet high in unhealthy plant-based foods were at a 22 per cent higher risk, compared to those eating low amounts of these foods.
The researchers also found differences in the risks for women and men, with a plant-based diet having a stronger correlation with OSA risk for men and an unhealthy plant-based diet having a bigger increase in women’s risk.
Dr Melaku said, “These results highlight the importance of the quality of our diet in managing the risk of OSA. It’s important to note these sex differences because they underscore the need for personalised dietary interventions for people with OSA.