When you have sleep apnea, eating certain foods could potentially make the problem worse. On the other hand, there are also foods that could potentially help make your nights more restful. In short, if you’re trying to manage your sleep-disordered breathing, it may be a good idea to make a few changes to your diet. Below is a brief overview of foods that you should and shouldn’t eat when you have sleep apnea.
Foods You Should Eat More of When You Have Sleep Apnea
Eating the following foods could help when you have sleep apnea:
- Oily Fish: Salmon and other types of oily fish can be a good source of vitamin D. Research indicates that sleep apnea is often linked to low levels of vitamin D, so it may be helpful to increase your intake of this essential nutrient. On top of that, the omega-3 fatty acids in oily fish can reduce any inflammation that may be associated with your sleep-disordered breathing.
- Fruits and Vegetables: Many kinds of fruits and vegetables can be excellent sources of vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidants. These nutrients can not only help improve the quality of your sleep, but they can also lower the oxidative stress caused by sleep apnea that can potentially lead to heart problems.
- Walnuts: Not only do walnuts contain antioxidants, but they can also be a good source of melatonin. Eating foods that contain melatonin can be very helpful for maintaining a healthy sleep cycle.
Foods You Should Avoid When You Have Sleep Apnea
Some of the foods you should stay away from when you have sleep apnea include:
- Anything High in Sugar or Fat: Obesity is a leading risk factor for sleep apnea. As such, you should make a point of avoiding sugary or fatty foods that could cause you to gain weight.
- Red or Processed Meat: There’s evidence to suggest that eating red or processed meat could make sleep apnea symptoms worse.
- Anything Alcoholic: Consuming alcohol shortly before bed could increase the chances of your breathing being interrupted during the night. This is because alcohol can relax the muscles in your throat, making them more prone to collapsing and blocking the airway.
When combined with professional treatment, making adjustments to your diet can go a long way toward getting sleep apnea under control, thus making it easier for you to get a good night’s rest again.
About the Practice
At Oak Ridge Dental, our dentists strive to make it as easy as possible for our patients in San Ramon to enjoy the high-quality care they deserve. In addition to a wide range of general dentistry services, we also offer non-surgical solutions for sleep apnea in the form of customized oral appliances. If you believe you might need treatment for sleep-disordered breathing, you can schedule an appointment with our team by visiting our website, using our online booking tool, or calling (925) 735-6190.
