The Interplay of Sleep, Glycemia, and Cognitive Function

Relationship Between Glucose Metabolism and Sleep

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Sleep is crucial for maintaining optimal health and cognitive function, playing a vital role in memory consolidation, information processing, and neural repair [1] [2]. Both sleep duration and quality are linked to various physiological functions and mental health outcomes [1]. Nutrition, including the glycemic response to food, impacts sleep parameters [1]. This review explores the relationship between glycemia and sleep, and how it may affect cognitive performance the following day [1].

Multifaceted Effects of Dietary Carbohydrates on Sleep Quality

Glycemia and sleep are tightly related, with poor glucose control often correlating with poorer sleep [1]. The mechanism involves a mutual effect of glycemia on sleep [1]. Glucose metabolism during sleep is linked to the circadian rhythm of insulin and glucose levels [1]. Elevated glucose levels and glycemic fluctuations overnight are associated with poor sleep quality [1]. Studies suggest that higher glucose variability is associated with longer sleep onset latency (SOL) [1].

The impact of dietary carbohydrates on nocturnal sleep quality is of great interest [1]. High-glycemic index (GI) meals may enhance sleep initiation, but most studies observe a detrimental effect on sleep [1]. High-GI diets have been associated with decreased SOL, decreased slow-wave (SW) sleep, and increased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep [1]. A low glycemic load (GL) has shown positive effects on sleep continuity measures [1].

Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal cognitive performance [1]. Observational studies show that both short and extended sleep duration are inversely associated with cognitive performance [1]. Sleep quality has consistently been associated with sustained attention and memory [1].

Relationship Between Sleep and Cognition

Potential of Interventions Promoting Sleep to Enhance Next-Day Cognitive Performance

Studies on sleep restriction and deprivation highlight the critical role of sleep duration in sustaining attention [1]. Sleep loss disrupts cognitive functions by interfering with the neural processes involved in learning and memory consolidation [1].

Critical Role of Sleep Duration in Performance of Attention and Memory

Interventions aimed at promoting sleep have the potential to enhance cognitive performance [1]. These include increasing melatonin or tryptophan availability [1].

The evidence suggests that lower postprandial glucose and low variation of nocturnal glucose are associated with better sleep quality and shorter sleep onset latency. Good sleep quality, in turn, is positively associated with cognitive processes such as sustained attention and memory consolidation measured the next day after sleep. [1]

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