A group of students at a Canadian university have complained about recurring nightmares that disrupt their sleep and prevent them from resting well at night, negatively affecting their academic performance and daily lives.
In response, a research team launched a four-month study examining the sleep and dietary habits of 1,082 students from MacEwan University in Canada. The focus was specifically on the occurrence of nightmares and whether there’s a connection between diet and disturbing dreams. The findings revealed a clear correlation between the two.
Dairy Products and Disturbed Sleep
The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, concluded that nightmares and disturbing dreams were linked to lactose intolerance, which affects some individuals. Lactose is found in cheese and dairy products, and for those sensitive to it, these foods may disrupt their sleep.
According to the results:
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40% of participants said their diet impacted their sleep quality.
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38% of them reported eating dairy products before bedtime, which appeared to negatively affect their dreams.
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In contrast, participants who consumed fruit (17.6%), vegetables (11.8%), or herbal tea (13.4%) were more likely to enjoy peaceful, uninterrupted sleep over the four-month period.
The Role of Lactose Intolerance
Tore Nielsen, a specialist in the neuroscience and cognitive psychology of dreams and nightmares at the University of Montreal, commented on the findings in an interview with AFP (Agence France-Presse). He noted that many individuals with lactose intolerance continue to consume dairy, even though they lack sufficient levels of lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose properly.
This enzyme deficiency leads to digestive symptoms such as bloating, cramping, and gas — which can occur during sleep and influence dream content.
Can Gut Discomfort Affect Dreams?
Nielsen emphasized that not all nightmares are food-related, and that anxiety is often a major contributing factor. However, he confirmed that gastrointestinal symptoms can shape what people experience in their dreams.
He explained:
“The negative emotions people feel while awake can carry into their dreams — and the same likely applies to digestive disturbances that occur during sleep.”
More Research Is Needed
The study's lead researcher in gastroenterology concluded that more research is required, involving a larger and more diverse population with varied dietary habits, to determine if these findings are generalizable.
What Is Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose intolerance occurs when individuals are unable to digest lactose, the sugar found in dairy products. While the condition is generally not harmful, it can cause discomfort, including:
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Diarrhea
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Gas
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Bloating
after consuming milk, cheese, or other dairy items — symptoms that may interfere with sleep and contribute to unpleasant dreams or nightmares.
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