From dairy to disturbed sleep: Is cheese giving you nightmares?
We've all heard it "Don’t eat cheese before bed or you’ll have nightmares!" Sounds like folklore passed down from grandparents, right? Well, a new study published in Frontiers in Psychology brings that quirky bedtime myth back into focus. According to researchers, people who consumed dairy, especially cheese before sleep reported more vivid dreams, restless nights, and yes, even nightmares.
But is your innocent grilled cheese really to blame for those 3 AM ghost chases in your dreams? Let’s dig into the findings.
The study: Dairy and dreams
The study surveyed over 1,000 adults to explore how specific foods might impact sleep quality. It found that 25% of participants believed certain foods negatively affected their sleep. Dairy products took second place in the blame game, with 22% of participants pointing fingers at milk, cheese, and other dairy items. Surprisingly, sugary desserts topped the list, with 31% saying sweets gave them a tougher time falling or staying asleep.
Among the other culprits? Meats (16%) and spicy foods (13%) also made the nightmare menu.
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Lactose intolerance and poor sleep
One of the most interesting revelations was the connection between lactose intolerance and disturbed sleep. The data showed that 30% of participants who believed food contributed to their poor sleep also reported being lactose intolerant. That adds a layer of credibility to the claim that dairy might mess with your rest, not just through dreams, but also through physical discomfort like bloating or digestive issues.
So, if your body is already struggling to process dairy, it makes sense that your sleep might take a hit too.
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Is cheese the culprit, or just a scapegoat?
While these results are certainly intriguing, it's important to remember: correlation doesn’t always equal causation. Just because people reported poor sleep after dairy doesn’t mean the cheese is out to get you. Many factors can influence sleep quality—stress, screen time, room temperature, or even how close to bedtime you eat.
It’s possible that those rich, late-night snacks are simply harder to digest, causing discomfort that disturbs sleep and manifests as vivid dreams. Or maybe people just think cheese causes nightmares because they’ve heard it so often—it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Should you avoid cheese before bed?
If you’re lactose intolerant or already prone to restless sleep, skipping the dairy at night might not be a bad idea. But for most people, the occasional cheese toast or bowl of ice cream probably won’t summon Freddy Krueger into your dreams.
If you're concerned about sleep quality, it might be more helpful to focus on your overall evening routine: avoid caffeine, reduce screen time, and create a relaxing environment. And if you’re experimenting with late-night snacks, consider keeping a food and sleep journal—you might uncover patterns you didn’t expect.
Food for sleep or fuel for nightmares?
So, does cheese cause nightmares? The verdict’s still out. While the data suggests a link between dairy and disturbed sleep—especially in lactose-intolerant individuals—it’s not enough to throw out your bedtime cheese platter just yet. But if you’ve had spooky dreams after a cheesy snack… maybe there's a crumb of truth in the myth after all.
