Association between adherence to Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet with sleep quality, sleep duration, inflammation, and oxidative stress among Iranian adults.

BACKGROUND

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet adherence and sleep quality, quantity, inflammation, and oxidative stress in Iranian adults.

METHODS

This cross-sectional research was carried out in 2021 and 535 individuals contributed to the present analysis. Using a standardized 168-item food frequency questionnaire, we assessed the subjects' typical dietary intakes and estimated DASH score. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was employed to assess both quantity and quality of sleep. Serum inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers were measured through fasting blood sampling.

RESULTS

Higher adherence to DASH (vs. lower adherence) was inversely associated with poor sleep quality and short sleeping [fully-adjusted model for poor sleep quality: ORT3 vs. T1 = 0.64; 95%CI: 0.44-0.94; for short sleeping: ORT3 vs. T1 = 0.66; 95%CI: 0.45-0.96]. These relations were observed particularly in women [fully-adjusted model for poor sleep quality: ORT3 vs. T1 = 0.14; 95%CI: 0.04-0.56; for short sleeping: ORT3 vs. T1 = 0.12; 95%CI: 0.03-0.55]. Moreover, moderate and higher adherences to DASH diet were respectively linked to a lower odds of two sleep quality domains: delay in falling asleep [fully-adjusted model: ORT2 vs. T1 = 0.39; 95%CI: 0.15-0.98], and sleep disorders [fully-adjusted model: ORT3 vs. T1 = 0.26; 95%CI: 0.08-0.84]. In the fully adjusted model, no link was found between adherence to the DASH diet and biomarkers of inflammation or oxidative stress (p ≥ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Among studied middle-aged Iranian population, adherence to DASH dietary pattern was associated with improved sleep quality and quantity, especially in women. None of the biomarkers acted as mediators in these relationships.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.