May sound trendy but it’s not: Eating Gluten-Free Can Help Improve Sleep Apnea Symptoms

How Eating Gluten-Free Can Improve Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Sleep apnea, while often hereditary, can be aggravated depending on your weight and diet. In fact, the risk of developing sleep apnea is four times greater for people who are considered obese compared to those at a normal weight. In this article, we’re going to discuss the connection between eating gluten-free and easing sleep apnea symptoms. So, whether you use a nasal mask during the night or rely on a CPAP machine, get ready to learn about the remarkable benefits of the sleep apnea diet!

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Disrupted sleep can take its toll on your body and mind, leaving you feeling exhausted during the day. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to job-related injuries, road accidents and can even trigger a heart attack. Let’s quickly review the most common sleep apnea symptoms;

• Loud snoring
• Observed episodes where you don’t breathe while sleeping
• Gasping for air while asleep
• Waking with a dry mouth and sore throat
• Headaches in the morning
• Feeling exhausted during the day
• Heartburn and indigestion

If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from sleep apnea symptoms, book an appointment with your doctor, who can best advise you regarding medical equipment and treatment.

If you have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea and struggle to maintain a healthy weight, those extra pounds could be making your sleep apnea symptoms worse! Obesity is considered a major risk factor for this condition, and it is far more common in people who are overweight.

Is Gluten Ruining Your Quality Of Sleep?

If you are hoping to minimize sleep apnea symptoms and lose weight simultaneously, cutting out gluten is considered the best approach. Gluten can trigger an allergic reaction in the body, and this can sometimes cause problems sleeping. When you eat something high in gluten, such as a bowl of pasta, the gluten can enlarge the tonsils, causing your airways to become restricted, making it more difficult to breathe. It can also impact the lining of the esophagus. Gluten can cause significant inflammation in the small intestines, and this can result in a wide range of issues. From digestive trouble and heartburn to autoimmune disorders, a gluten-free diet will help you unlock many health benefits, from losing weight to improving your quality of sleep.

People who are already sensitive to gluten will also feel more energetic when eating gluten-free, as gluten can damage the intestine and prevent the body from absorbing key nutrients such as iron. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, which can result in chronic fatigue.

So following a gluten-free diet can reduce inflammation in the body, minimize bloating and increase your energy levels. Since you won’t be experiencing digestive trouble while you sleep, and your airways will be clear, sleep apnea symptoms are often reduced considerably.

The Sleep Apnea Diet

So, what is the sleep apnea diet? Well, this gluten-free meal plan involves a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, eating lighter meals before bedtime, and reducing your portion sizes. Eating a lot before you hit the hay will undoubtedly lead to an uncomfortable night’s sleep, so enjoying a small snack rather than Mac n Cheese, for example, is far kinder on your stomach.

According to the European Respiratory Journal, people with obstructive sleep apnea can improve their symptoms by eating gluten-free and following a Mediterranea Diet. So consider carrots and humous as a bedtime snack or a vegetable soup and a handful of black olives.

So, to wake up feeling fresh, energized and light, switch to a sleep apnea diet, and finally say goodbye to gluten-fueled sleep apnea symptoms!

Want to improve your quality of sleep further? Read our article on: What does your sleep position say about you.

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