Researchers have found that a plant-based diet reduces the risk of sleep apnea

The study found that those who consumed the most vegetables, fruits, whole grain products and nuts were 19 percent less likely to develop sleep apnea than those who ate the least plant-based and healthy foods. The researchers also found differences in risk for women and men, with a plant-based diet having a greater effect on reducing apnea risk in the latter.

Apnea occurs when the airway becomes too narrow during sleep, preventing a person from breathing properly. It is associated with obesity, large neck size, smoking and alcohol consumption, and sleeping on one's back. Patients with the condition often snore loudly, stop and then start breathing sharply, and wake up making gasping, snorting or choking sounds.

Researchers examined data from 14,210 people participating in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey program who provided information on what they had eaten in the past 24 hours. The food groups were divided into healthy plant foods (whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, tea and coffee), less healthy plant foods (refined grains, potatoes, sugary drinks, sweets and desserts, salty foods) and animal products (animal fat, dairy products, eggs, fish or seafood, meat). In the end, the best performance was recorded in the group of those participants who ate plant-based foods.

Dr. Johannes Melaku of Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, who led the study, said these results highlight the importance of the quality of our diet in managing the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. "This study doesn't tell us why diet is important, but it is possible that a healthy plant-based diet reduces inflammation and obesity," he added.

Studies have shown that obstructive sleep apnea increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, irregular heartbeat, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and depression. According to various estimates, it affects about one billion people worldwide, and treatment often includes weight loss along with other lifestyle changes.