Can cheese turn your dreams into nightmares?
New research published Tuesday in the journal Frontiers in Psychology surveyed sleep habits, particularly dreams, and compared them with peoples' eating habits. One of the findings? The worse lactose intolerance symptoms people had, the more intense their nightmares were.
The study may offer some answers to questions raised by research from 2015 that looked at factors that influence 'food-dependent dreaming' — in other words, how foods affect dreams.
'In the earlier study, people were blaming cheese all the time for their bad dreams,' said Tore Nielsen, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Montreal who co-authored both studies. 'And so I think we got some better answers in the study for that.'
The study included just over 1,000 participants. People who responded that they had severe gastrointestinal symptoms from their lactose intolerance reported stronger nightmares, measured by the frequency of nightmares, the level of distress they caused, how much they impaired daily activities and the duration of the nightmares across months. The participants most commonly blamed their bad dreams on dairy and sweets.
The participants took the survey as part of an undergraduate introductory psychology class. Because of that, the results may not apply to the wider population.
Still, both the researchers and outside experts said there are plausible explanations for why a cheesy meal before bed could lead to bad dreams.
Symptoms of anxiety that might accompany lactose intolerance could be creating more nightmares, Nielsen said.
Marie-Pierre St-Onge, the director at the Center of Excellence for Sleep & Circadian Research at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, said the sleep disturbances caused by gastrointestinal issues may explain the link.
'If you have GI issues, that could account for a lot of what's happening in terms of your sleep disturbances that could be associated with different dreams,' St-Onge said.
Patrick McNamara, an associate professor of neurology at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine who studies the brain and sleep, said eating a trigger food for lactose intolerance may cause 'micro-arousals' that disturb sleep quality, resulting in stronger nightmares.
However, both McNamara and the study authors cautioned that other factors unrelated to gastrointestinal symptoms could play a role, as well.
Nielsen said he wants to see more research done on the link between dairy and dreams. Russell Powell, a co-author of the new study and professor emeritus of psychology at MacEwan University in Alberta, said they plan to try to replicate the findings in other groups.
Still, people can look at their own diets and make decisions about aspects to change — interventions that don't necessarily need the assistance of a medical professional to do, Nielsen added.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Elevance Health Insiders Sold US$6.9m Of Shares Suggesting Hesitancy
Over the past year, many Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) insiders sold a significant stake in the company which may have piqued investors' interest. When evaluating insider transactions, knowing whether insiders are buying is usually more beneficial than knowing whether they are selling, as the latter can be open to many interpretations. However, if numerous insiders are selling, shareholders should investigate more. While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether. Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit. In the last twelve months, the biggest single sale by an insider was when the Executive VP & President of Commercial Health Benefits, Charles Kendrick, sold US$3.2m worth of shares at a price of US$432 per share. That means that an insider was selling shares at around the current price of US$396. While insider selling is a negative, to us, it is more negative if the shares are sold at a lower price. Given that the sale took place at around current prices, it makes us a little cautious but is hardly a major concern. Elevance Health insiders didn't buy any shares over the last year. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! View our latest analysis for Elevance Health If you like to buy stocks that insiders are buying, rather than selling, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: Most of them are flying under the radar). Over the last three months, we've seen significant insider selling at Elevance Health. Specifically, Executive VP & CFO Mark Kaye ditched US$1.9m worth of shares in that time, and we didn't record any purchases whatsoever. In light of this it's hard to argue that all the insiders think that the shares are a bargain. For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. Elevance Health insiders own 0.1% of the company, currently worth about US$103m based on the recent share price. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders. An insider hasn't bought Elevance Health stock in the last three months, but there was some selling. And there weren't any purchases to give us comfort, over the last year. The company boasts high insider ownership, but we're a little hesitant, given the history of share sales. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. To assist with this, we've discovered 1 warning sign that you should run your eye over to get a better picture of Elevance Health. But note: Elevance Health may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The Best Foods to Eat to Fight Inflammation, According to Dietitians
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RDPersistent inflammation can damage cells and lead to serious diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods such as tart cherries, avocados, fatty fish and dark leafy greens into your diet can help reduce inflammation. Regular exercise, adequate sleep and stress management are other helpful strategies to lower is a natural response by the body to defend against foreign invaders and aid in healing injuries. While this process is essential, chronic inflammation can be linked to significant problems by damaging body cells and impairing their ability to function properly. "Chronic inflammation can interrupt and damage body cells. When body cells don't function properly due to a repeated stressor, they are unable to protect against disease or can initiate changes in the body which can contribute to the development of a disease," explains Andrea Conner, M.P.H., RDN. This persistent inflammation has been linked to serious diseases like cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. Fortunately, adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle can help combat chronic inflammation and lower disease risk. "Lowering inflammation in the body means eating a plant-forward diet and avoiding highly processed foods that contain trans fats or a lot of added sugar," says Pamela Fergusson, RD, Ph.D. Foods rich in antioxidants, like those featured in the Mediterranean diet, have been shown to effectively reduce inflammation. Beyond diet, maintaining seven to eight hours of sleep per night, staying active and managing stress are also crucial in fighting inflammation and improving overall health. Add more of the following healthy inflammation-fighting foods to your daily diet to see the benefits. Tart cherries pack a wallop of antioxidants that help temper inflammation, including anthocyanins (an antioxidant found in red and purple fruits and vegetables) and vitamin C (well-known for its immune-supporting properties). Data shows that tart cherries contain beneficial compounds called polyphenols, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These compounds may help by targeting the processes in the body that cause or worsen inflammation. Research shows that tart cherries could help lower markers of inflammation and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. The active ingredients in tart cherries, such as cyanidins, quercetin and melatonin, are thought to play a key role in may be attributed to the impact of the active compounds in tart cherries on inflammatory pathways, including NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase. Incorporate more cherries into your diet with smoothies, as a yogurt or oatmeal topper, in sorbet or simply on their own for an easy, naturally sweet snack. Packed with healthy monounsaturated fatty acids that help to keep our hearts happy, avocados are also an excellent source of fiber. "One of the simplest things you can do to eat in an anti-inflammatory way and prevent disease is to eat a diet high in fiber," says Fergusson. For one, fiber makes maintaining a healthy weight easier, which in turn helps ward off weight-related inflammation. Additionally, fiber is what keeps our gut microbiome happy and healthy, which we now know plays a critical role in chronic disease development. Just like cherries contain anthocyanins, beets contain different phytochemicals—called betalains—that act similarly in the body to fight off inflammation. They're also a heartier vegetable that can be store for longer without going bad, which is an added bonus if you're trying to reduce food waste. Whether you add beets to your juicer or roast them as a salad topper, you'll get a healthy dose of helpful nutrients. Eating salmon or other fatty fish, like sardines and mackerel, at least twice a week delivers an impressive amount of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found to 'turn off' pro-inflammatory genes in your body and increase cells' ability to scrub themselves of harmful components. Not feeling fish? Eat 1 to 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, ground flaxseed or walnuts to get plant-based omega-3 fats. From almonds to cashews, pistachios and walnuts, you can choose your favorite (or mix it up) when designing an anti-inflammatory diet. Eating nuts, such as almonds and walnuts, may help lower inflammation, while Brazil nuts might reduce oxidative stress because of their antioxidant properties. Although it's clear nuts are good for health, researchers are still exploring exactly how different types of nuts and varying portions influence inflammation and overall health. 7 Add nuts into your pesto, sprinkle them over a salad or turn them into energy bites—or just enjoy them on their own. A smart goal to up your nutrition game: a salad a day. Aim for dark leafy greens, like kale, spinach and collards, all of which pack nutrients, most notably lutein, folate and vitamin K, that slow the simmer of inflammation. Think you have to load up on salads and green juice every day? While we will never say 'no' to eating more veggies, some data suggests that eating just one serving per day of greens may be associated with slower cognitive decline in aging adults. One specific compound found in certain greens, like spinach, is thykamine. This compound has shown promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in scientific studies. There's been a lot of talk about specifically loading up on turmeric. However, research isn't conclusive when it comes to the benefits of eating it as a spice (rather than in larger amounts in proprietary supplements). Instead, focus on including a range of dried herbs and spices in your diet rather than relying on the power of one to do all the work. Eating herbs and spices regularly may play a role in preventing cancer, according to some data. Along with having turmeric as part of your spice collection, Conner also recommends cloves, peppermint, oregano, ginger, parsley, cinnamon, pepper and garlic. "Find opportunities to add spices and get into the habit of using them daily," she says. You can add them to meals naturally by stirring a teaspoon of cinnamon into your oatmeal, topping cherry tomatoes with olive oil and oregano, and adding turmeric to water when cooking quinoa. Chronic inflammation is a serious health concern, but the good news is that taking proactive steps through diet and lifestyle may make a significant difference. By incorporating nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory foods such as tart cherries, avocados, fatty fish, nuts and dark leafy greens into your meals, you can help your body combat inflammation naturally. These foods are not only delicious but also loaded with nutrients that work together to reduce inflammation, support your immune system, and promote overall well-being. A balanced approach to eating, along with staying active, prioritizing sleep, and managing stress, is key for combatting the harmful effects of chronic inflammation. Ultimately, small, consistent changes hold the power to protect your health and enhance your quality of life. Whether it's adding beets to your salad, seasoning your dishes with inflammation-fighting spices, or swapping out fried snacks for nuts, every choice counts. Keep in mind that combating inflammation is not about perfection but about progress—finding ways to nourish your body that align with your lifestyle. Your body will thank you for the care and intention you invest in its well-being. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
CIBC Foundation and TELUS Friendly Future Foundation announce landmark $2 million partnership
New partnership strengthens commitment to nationwide educational access, creating more pathways for students facing barriers TORONTO, July 2, 2025 /CNW/ - The CIBC Foundation and the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation announced a transformative $2 million partnership to launch the TELUS Momentum Student Bursary, powered by CIBC Foundation. With each Foundation contributing $1 million, this multi-year partnership will fuel momentum for up to 500 young changemakers from the Black community, helping them accelerate their ambitions and impact across the globe. "This innovative partnership unites two leading Canadian Foundations with a shared vision to expand educational and leadership opportunities for our youth," said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO, TELUS. "Today's landmark funding commitment by the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation and CIBC Foundation will enable us to further expand our TELUS Student Bursary program, equipping the next generation of leaders with the essential tools to realize their dream of post-secondary education while also effecting meaningful change within their communities. Together, we are paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic workforce in Canada, and creating a friendlier future for all Canadians." "The launch of the TELUS Momentum Student Bursary, powered by CIBC Foundation is a testament to both Foundations' continued efforts in ensuring that our next generation of leaders have access to a brighter, more inclusive future," said Victor Dodig, President and CEO, CIBC. "The bursary will generate momentum for their ambitions to flourish and help them address some of society's most pressing issues. Together, this new partnership helps us do even more to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to realize their ambitions." The TELUS Momentum Student Bursary, powered by CIBC Foundation, will unlock access to education and career pathways for young Black leaders, whose talents and community leadership are critical for helping solve pressing social issues. Bursaries are awarded to students who are facing financial barriers and are committed to making a difference in their communities. Recipients will also benefit from comprehensive support, including TELUS' Mobility for Good and Internet for Good programs, access to the CIBC Best Student Life Bundle and CIBC Smart Planner, which can help create healthier financial habits, free mental health support from TELUS Health, as well as career learning opportunities enabled by TELUS. "The support from CIBC Foundation and TELUS Friendly Future Foundation has given me the opportunity to focus on my studies and get involved in community work that I'm passionate about," said Kay Palmer, recipient of the TELUS Momentum Student Bursary, powered by CIBC Foundation. "My dream is to work in forensic psychology, and this support is helping me become the change I want to see. Together, we'll keep this momentum going and build a more inclusive tomorrow." Since the launch of the TELUS Student Bursary in 2023, the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation has already provided bursaries to more than 1000 students across nine provinces and 93 different schools, with more than 50 percent awarded to first-generation post-secondary students. With applications already received for the 2025/26 academic year, this partnership with CIBC Foundation will enable more students to receive bursary support starting Fall 2025. For more information about the TELUS Student Bursary program and how you can support the next generation of Canadian leaders, visit About CIBC Foundation CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 14 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. The CIBC Foundation serves our commitment to creating a world without limits to ambition by championing inclusive communities, investing in financial education and supporting cancer research, treatment, education and support programs through corporate donations and community partnerships. Learn more about our community impact. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at About TELUS Friendly Future Foundation TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is a Canadian registered charity that believes all youth, regardless of circumstance, deserve an equal opportunity to reach their full potential. By funding more than 500 charities each year that provide education and health programs, many enabled by technology, along with providing educational bursaries, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is helping youth across Canada build skills, confidence and feel a sense of belonging. In 2024 alone, we provided more than $11 million in grants to 500+ charitable programs across Canada, and over $2 million in bursaries to 500+ post-secondary students in financial need who are committed to making a difference in their communities. About TELUS TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a world-leading communications technology company operating in more than 45 countries and generating over $20 billion in annual revenue with more than 20 million customer connections through our advanced suite of broadband services for consumers, businesses and the public sector. We are committed to leveraging our technology to enable remarkable human outcomes. TELUS is passionate about putting our customers and communities first, leading the way globally in client service excellence and social capitalism. Our TELUS Health business is enhancing more than 150 million lives across 200 countries and territories through innovative preventive medicine and well-being technologies. Our TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods business utilizes digital technologies and data insights to optimize the connection between producers and consumers. Guided by our enduring 'give where we live' philosophy, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed $1.8 billion in cash, in-kind contributions, time and programs including 2.4 million days of service since 2000, earning us the distinction of the world's most giving company. For more information, visit or follow @TELUSNews on X and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram. For media inquiries, please contact: Saara Rahikka TELUS Public Relations SOURCE TELUS Friendly Future Foundation View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
