a recent national survey commissioned by my fitness pal fitness app revealed that nine in 10 canadians struggle with falling asleep and just over half say they’re not getting enough sleep. and 90 per cent agree that good quality of sleep positively impacts their lives. more than half recognize that sugary foods and beverages have a negative impact on their sleep quality. the company has launched a sleep integration feature to its fitness app so that people can track their sleep data alongside their food diary and nutrition information to have a better understanding of what works for them.
advertisement
advertisement
a recent study led by the university of houston has revealed the profound effect of sleep deprivation on emotional function. the research, representing data synthesis of more than 50 years, demonstrates how even slight sleep deficiencies can significantly diminish positive emotions like joy and happiness, while amplifying anxiety symptoms of rapid heart rate and excessive worrying.
advertisement
he points to shift workers as struggling with more health and sleep-related problems than individuals who are not. new research in advances in nutrition has shown that shift workers on rotating schedules eat more erratically and frequently than day workers, snack more at night, and consume fewer healthier foods with potentially more calories.
disrupting the body’s natural circadian rhythm through shift work may also increase the risk of colorectal cancer, a malignancy with strong ties to lifestyle factors, according to a 2023 review of multiple studies published in the journal of investigative medicine . authors say contributing factors include exposure to artificial light at night, and complex hormonal and genetic interactions.
advertisement
advertisement
another important question for a sleep expert has to be his take on coffee, since so many people rely on the buzz. recent statistics say canadians consume an average of 2.7 cups of coffee per day.
advertisement