Study Links Increased Fruit and Vegetable Intake to Improved Sleep Quality

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine and Columbia University has found a significant correlation between increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and improved sleep quality. Published in the journal Sleep Health in June 2025, this research highlights the importance of dietary choices in enhancing sleep among young adults.

The study involved healthy young adults who documented their daily fruit and vegetable intake through a smartphone application and wore wrist monitors to objectively measure their sleep patterns. Researchers focused on 'sleep fragmentation,' an index measuring the frequency of awakenings or shifts from deep to light sleep. Results indicated that participants who consumed higher amounts of fruits and vegetables experienced deeper and less disrupted sleep that same night.

Dr. Esra Tasali, co-senior author and director of the UChicago Sleep Center, emphasized the groundbreaking nature of these findings. "This study is the first to draw a temporal connection between daily dietary choices and objectively measured sleep quality," Tasali stated. According to the researchers' statistical modeling, individuals who meet the CDC's recommendation of five cups of fruits and vegetables per day could observe a 16% improvement in sleep quality compared to those who consume none.

This connection between diet and sleep is particularly noteworthy given the widespread issues relating to sleep disturbances, which can have serious implications on cardiovascular and metabolic health, memory, and overall productivity. Previous observational studies had already suggested a link between high fruit and vegetable intake and better self-reported sleep quality, but this research provides empirical evidence supporting dietary modifications as a potential approach to enhance sleep.

Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge, co-senior author and director of the Center of Excellence for Sleep & Circadian Research at Columbia, noted, "Small changes can impact sleep. That is empowering—better rest is within your control." The study's findings are expected to guide future research aimed at establishing causation and exploring the underlying mechanisms that could explain the observed benefits of fruits and vegetables on sleep quality.

Notably, the research received support from multiple grants provided by the National Institutes of Health, ensuring rigorous standards in methodology and analysis. Co-authors of the study include experts from both institutions, further enriching the academic rigor of the findings.

As experts advocate for dietary changes, this study adds a new dimension to public health discussions, suggesting that simple adjustments in daily food intake may serve as an effective and cost-efficient strategy for improving sleep quality, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes in the population. Future research could expand on these findings to include diverse populations and investigate the effects of specific types of fruits and vegetables on sleep patterns, potentially offering more tailored dietary recommendations for those struggling with sleep disturbances.