Eating this fatty snack every day can help you sleep better — scientists were surprised
It turns out this popular green fruit — yes, it's a fruit — may just be the key to restful slumber, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Researchers tracked 969 adults aged 25 and over who had abdominal obesity, which is characterized as a waistline that is 35 inches or more for women and 40 inches or more for men.
For 26 weeks, half of the group ate one large Hass avocado per day while the other half continued their usual diet, which typically involved consuming less than two avocados per month.
As expected, the avocado-eating group saw marked improvements in their blood lipids — fatty substances like triglycerides and cholesterol — and overall diet.
But what caught researchers off guard was the fact that this trendy toast-topper also led to better sleep.
The researchers noted that avocado's impact on sleep may be due to its powerhouse blend of nutrients, as it's 'rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin K, copper and pantothenic acid.'
It also came as a surprise that avocado consumption was not associated with improved cardiovascular health, which was actually the original purpose of the study.
The researchers noted that avocados could benefit slumber as part of a balanced, healthy diet and should not be treated as a solitary sleep aid.
'Sleep is emerging as a key lifestyle factor in heart health, and this study invites us to consider how nutrition — and foods like avocado — can play a role in improving it,' said Dr. Kristina Petersen, study author and associate professor of nutritional sciences at Penn State University.
'Cardiovascular health is influenced by many factors, and while no single food is a silver bullet, some — like avocados — offer a range of nutrients that support multiple aspects of heart health. This is an encouraging step in expanding the science around avocados and the potential benefits of consumption.'
Other factors that can improve your sleep include cutting down on caffeine, curbing alcohol intake, kicking a smoking habit, exercising and limiting screen time before bed.
This isn't the first time the versatile superfood has made headlines for unexpected benefits.
Previous research suggests avocados may reduce 'bad' cholesterol and help with belly fat in women, thanks to their healthy fats and high fiber content.
A 2024 study suggests that eating a small amount of avocado every day may lower a woman's risk for Type 2 diabetes.
Just make sure not to overdo it.
Experts generally recommend eating no more than one avocado per day to avoid unwanted weight gain.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business Wire
ADOCIA and Tonghua Dongbao Announce Positive Topline Results of Phase 3 Clinical Trial on Ultra-Rapid Insulin BioChaperone ® Lispro (THDB0206 injection) in People with T2D
LYON, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Adocia (Euronext Paris: FR0011184241 – ADOC, the 'Company'), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of innovative therapeutic solutions for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, announces that its partner Tonghua Dongbao releases today positive topline results on the Phase 3 clinical trial on BioChaperone ® Lispro (THDB0206 injection), a novel Ultra-Rapid Insulin formulation. Conducted by Tonghua Dongbao, this Phase 3 study (NCT05834868) was approved by the Chinese Regulatory Authorities (CDE 1). The randomized, open, multicenter study evaluated the safety and efficacy of THDB0206 injection compared to Humalog ® in adults with Type 2 diabetes. Dr LENG Chunsheng, President of Tonghua Dongbao, said: " THDB0206 injection is a new generation of ultra-rapid insulin that has demonstrated benefits for improving blood glucose control of adults with Type 2 diabetes compared with the standard of care Humalog ®. Tonghua Dongbao is committed to continue to innovate in the treatment of diabetes and obesity." Olivier Soula, CEO and Co-Founder of Adocia, added: " We are thrilled to share the positive results obtained with BioChaperone ® Lispro on this Phase 3 clinical trial on people with Type 2 diabetes. Given the well-known challenges in showing clinical improvement in this population with a new prandial insulin, we are particularly delighted with these findings. This milestone demonstrates Adocia's ability to advance its innovative treatments to the final stages of clinical development, within strategic partnerships. We congratulate Tonghua Dongbao's team for the quality of execution of a large Phase 3 trial of over 1,000 people.' Results A total of 1,040 Chinese adults with Type 2 diabetes with inadequate glycemic control and using daily multiple injections of insulin were randomized. After 26 weeks of treatment, HbA1c decreased significantly in both groups compared to the baseline. The reduction in the THDB0206 injection group was comparable to that of the Humalog ® group, meeting the primary endpoint. The key secondary endpoints were also demonstrated, with a statistically significant lower rise of blood glucose after a standard meal for the THDB0206 injection group, compared to the Humalog ® group. The 10-point self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) of patients at week 26, an important supportive endpoint of the trial, confirmed the advantage of this product in controlling postprandial blood glucose fluctuations, with a statistically improved daily blood glucose level. A series of prespecified subgroup analyzes of the primary HbA1c endpoint also fully confirmed the benefits of this product in long-term blood glucose control in patients with Type 2 diabetes. In addition, the safety and tolerability of THDB0206 injection were good. Most of the adverse events were mild or moderate, and the incidence of adverse events and hypoglycemic events were similar to those of Humalog ®. About BioChaperone ® Lispro BioChaperone ® Lispro was licensed to Tonghua Dongbao in 2018, as part of a Licensing Agreement covering China and other Asian countries 2. BioChaperone ® Lispro is an Ultra-Rapid Insulin, belonging to the latest generation of prandial insulins. It combines Adocia's proprietary BioChaperone ® technology with insulin lispro, the active ingredient in the standard of care, Humalog ® (Eli Lilly). This innovative formulation acts significantly faster than earlier insulin generations, effectively reducing post-meal hyperglycemia, which is a key contributor to long-term complications such as retinopathy, diabetic foot ulcers, or kidney failure. Additionally, its rapid elimination minimizes the risk of hypoglycemia, often caused when insulin level remains high after post-meal glucose levels have normalized. The faster action profile of BioChaperone ® Lispro associated to an excellent local tolerance enhances its compatibility with modern diabetes management systems, particularly insulin pump systems, and provides better integration into advanced treatment algorithms. Beyond its clinical advantages, the quick onset of BioChaperone ® Lispro improves quality of life by offering greater flexibility in dose timing. Patients can administer insulin at mealtime, or even right-after-mealtime, allowing for more accurate dosing based on known meal timing and content. This reduces the risks of overdosing or underdosing, which can lead to hypo- or hyperglycemia and their associated complications. The simplified dosing process eases the psychological burden on patients and caregivers, significantly alleviating the stress associated with diabetes management. About Tonghua Dongbao Tonghua Dongbao Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd (SHSE: 600867), is a pharmaceutical company based in Jilin province, China, specializing in the R&D, manufacturing and commercialization of insulins and other diabetes treatments. Tonghua Dongbao currently employs over 3,000 people and has sales of around $280 million. It has been listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange since 1994, with a market capitalization of about $2.3 billion. About Adocia Adocia is a biotechnology company specializing in the discovery and development of therapeutic solutions in the field of metabolic diseases, primarily diabetes and obesity. The Company has a broad portfolio of drug candidates based on four proprietary technology platforms: 1) The BioChaperone ® technology for the development of new generation insulins and products combining different hormones; 2) AdOral ®, an oral peptide delivery technology; 3) AdoShell ®, an immunoprotective biomaterial for cell transplantation, with an initial application in pancreatic cells transplantation; and 4) AdoGel ®, a long-acting drug delivery platform. Adocia holds more than 25 patent families. Based in Lyon, the company has about 80 employees. Adocia is listed on the regulated market of Euronext ™ Paris (Euronext: ADOC; ISIN: FR0011184241). Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Adocia and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Adocia considers as being reasonable. However, there can be no guarantee that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be achieved, as such estimates are subject to numerous risks including those set forth in the 'Risk Factors' section of the universal registration document that was filed with the French Autorité des marchés financiers on April 29, 2025, available at Those risks include uncertainties inherent in Adocia's short- or medium-term working capital requirements, in research and development, future clinical data, analyses and the evolution of economic conditions, the financial markets and the markets in which Adocia operates, which could impact the Company's short-term financing requirements and its ability to raise additional funds.
3 days ago
GLP-1s work but when they're stopped, the effects stop too: Expert
People who stop taking GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound started to regain weight in a short amount of time, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed 11 different studies to understand weight outcomes after stopping anti-obesity medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1s, which mimic the GLP-1 hormone that is produced in the gut after eating. It can help produce more insulin, which reduces blood sugar and therefore helps control Type 2 diabetes. It can also interact with the brain and signal a person to feel full, which -- when coupled with diet and exercise -- can help reduce weight in those who are overweight or obese. The team, from Peking University People's Hospital in China, found that most began to regain weight within about two months of stopping treatment. In many cases, that weight gain continued for several months before leveling off. The study was published Tuesday in the journal BMC Medicine. However, Dr. Louis J. Aronne, founder and former chairman of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, told ABC News that doesn't mean the medications failed. In fact, they worked exactly as intended, he said. Aronne, who is also a physician at Weill Cornell Medicine, said the findings are consistent with what happens when treatment ends for other chronic conditions. "What happens after stopping an obesity medication is exactly what happens after stopping a diabetes, cholesterol-lowering, or a blood pressure medication," he told ABC News. "The effect of the medicine goes away, and people tend to go back to where they started." Patients who had taken GLP-1s tended to lose more weight during treatment, which meant they had more weight to gain back afterward. 'It's not that the medicine didn't work,' Aronne said. 'It's that they lost more weight, so they had more weight to regain.' Even participants who continued healthy eating and exercise habits after stopping medication experienced weight gain. That doesn't mean those efforts weren't worthwhile, Aronne further explained, but rather that obesity is a chronic disease with complex biological drivers. "You wouldn't stop insulin and expect a person's blood sugar to stay low," he said. The researchers noted several limitations, including a small number of included studies and a focus on weight and BMI without tracking other health markers like blood sugar or cholesterol. These medications may not right for everyone, and decisions about starting or stopping should be made with your doctor, according to MedlinePlus. People with certain medical conditions, including a history of pancreatitis or thyroid cancer, may not be good candidates, and should speak with their doctor to decide what management strategies are right for them.
UPI
3 days ago
- UPI
PFAS 'forever chemicals' might increase risk of diabetes
So-called "forever chemicals" could be increasing Americans' risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, a new study says. Photo by Vlado Paunovic/Adobe Stock So-called "forever chemicals" could be increasing Americans' risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, a new study says. Higher blood levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with a significantly greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, the form of the disease most closely tied to obesity, researchers reported Monday in the journal eBioMedicine. Risk for Type 2 diabetes increased by 31% as PFAS blood levels rose from low to moderate and from moderate to high, researchers found. It appears that the forever chemicals could be affecting the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels, researchers wrote. "Our study is one of the first to examine how these chemicals may disrupt the body's metabolism in ways that increase diabetes risk, particularly in diverse U.S. populations," lead researcher Vishal Midya, an assistant professor of environmental medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, said in a news release. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" because they combine carbon and fluorine molecules, one of the strongest chemical bonds possible. This makes PFAS removal and breakdown very difficult, researchers explained in background notes. PFAS compounds have been used in consumer products since the 1940s, including fire extinguishing foam, nonstick cookware, food wrappers, stain-resistant furniture and waterproof clothing. "PFAS are synthetic chemicals that resist heat, oil, water and stains, and are found in countless everyday consumer products," Midya said. "Because they don't break down easily, PFAS accumulate in the environment -- and in human bodies." For the study, researchers analyzed blood samples from 180 people recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and compared them to 180 similar individuals without diabetes. They found people's PFAS levels were indeed associated with their risk for Type 2 diabetes. PFAS also seemed to alter people's metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates and some drugs, researchers said. For example, PFAS altered people's levels of sulfolithocholyglycine, a key signaling molecule for coordinating and regulating metabolism of fats, blood sugar, drugs and energy, researchers wrote. However, the nature of the study means a direct cause-and-effect link between PFAS and Type 2 diabetes can't be drawn, researchers noted. Future research is needed to verify this link, and to figure out exactly why PFAS might alter metabolism in a way that would impact diabetes risk, researchers said. More information The Environmental Working Group has more on PFAS chemicals. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
