Dairy products, especially cheese, have long been viewed as potential culprits for inducing nightmares. References in pop culture, like Ebenezer Scrooge claiming a “crumb of cheese” was behind his ghostly visitors in “A Christmas Carol,” or comic strips suggesting Welsh rarebit—basically cheesy toast—leads to unsettling dreams, have helped to fuel this notion.
A new study in the journal Frontiers in Psychology explored these entrenched beliefs regarding dairy and sleep disturbances.
Researchers from MacEwan University engaged 1,082 students in a survey designed to assess how food choices influence dreams. Participants shared their general eating habits, late-night snacks, experiences with food sensitivity, and their sleep quality—dreams and nightmares included.
The findings…
About half of those surveyed believed that certain foods either negatively or positively impacted their sleep. Specifically, 20% felt that food improved their sleep, while nearly 25% thought it made their sleep worse, and 5% noticed an impact on their dreams.
The researchers found that those who believed their dreaming was influenced by food often reported more vivid and disturbing dreams, and they tended to overlook feelings of hunger.
Among participants who thought food played a role in their sleep issues, blame was mainly placed on sweets and spicy foods, with dairy following closely. Surprisingly, 31% pointed fingers at sweets, while 22% cited dairy.
Interestingly, those who perceived their sleep issues to be linked to food also frequently identified themselves as lactose intolerant and noted gastrointestinal discomfort, especially with late-night snacks. Around 30% of this group reported lactose intolerance.
Dr. Tore Nielsen of Université de Montréal, the study’s lead author, mentioned that “these findings suggest that altering eating habits, particularly for those with food sensitivities, might help reduce nightmares.” He added that this insight could explain why many associate dairy with troubling dreams.
Consuming dairy may lead to digestive issues, which could, in turn, disrupt sleep quality and dream experiences.
Foods that improve sleep
Some participants in the study noted that they slept better after eating fruits and vegetables. Nearly 18% of regular fruit eaters reported improved sleep quality, along with 12% of vegetable eaters and 13% of those who frequently consume herbal tea.
Dietary restrictions
This research established a clear connection between food intake and sleep patterns, showing that sensitivities like lactose intolerance can increase the likelihood of bad dreams.
However, the direct relationship between diet and sleep remains ambiguous. It’s possible that a poor diet leads to restless nights, or the opposite could be true—perhaps another outside factor influences both.
While the study proposed that digestive discomfort from dairy might provoke unsettling dreams, it also paves the way for further exploration into the influence of food on dreaming.
In the meantime, these results may prompt some individuals to tweak their diets without needing professional advice.
