Discover the role of diet in snoring and sleep apnea

A recent study published in ERJ Open Research has explored the impact of our diet on the risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a disorder characterized by breathing stops during sleep. This condition, which leads to loud snoring and frequent nighttime awakenings, is not without consequences: it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, strokes, type 2 diabetes, and chronic fatigue.

The study, conducted by Dr. Yohannes Melaku from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, highlights the importance of a healthy, primarily plant-based diet. It establishes a link between a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts, and a significant reduction in the risk of OSA. Conversely, less healthy diets, loaded with refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, and foods high in sugar and salt, are associated with an increased risk of this disorder.


To reach these conclusions, the researchers analyzed data from 14,210 individuals, based on their 24-hour food consumption and assessing their OSA risk through a questionnaire. They distinguished healthy diets, based on high consumption of plant-based foods, from those rich in animal-derived foods or unhealthy processed plant-based products.

The results showed that individuals following a diet rich in plant-based foods had a 19% lower risk of suffering from OSA, while those primarily consuming unhealthy foods had an increased risk of 22%. The study also revealed significant differences between men and women in the correlation between diet and OSA risk.

These findings highlight the importance of the quality of our diet in the prevention and treatment of OSA. The researchers now plan to study the links between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and the risk of OSA, as well as the interaction between diet and this risk over the long term.