A slice of cheddar, a smear of brie, a sprinkle of parmesan — they’re all a dream for cheese lovers. But for people with lactose intolerance, they’re a nightmare in the making. Perhaps literally.
According to a new study, it’s possible that the consumption of cheese and other dairy products could contribute to poor sleep and nightmares among lactose-intolerant individuals. Published today in Frontiers in Psychology, the study involved over 1,000 participants who were asked about their diets, sleep patterns, and perceptions of the relationship between the two.
The results revealed that lactose intolerance, poor sleep, and nightmares are all closely connected, probably thanks to the gastrointestinal distress that’s caused by dairy, which could interfere with the sleep and dreams of those who consume it despite their intolerance.
“Nightmare severity is robustly associated with lactose intolerance and other food allergies,” said Tore Nielsen, a study author and a psychologist at ...
