Patrick Oconnell
Eating cheese before bed has been a topic of debate for a long time. While some people believe that cheese causes nightmares, recent studies have shown that consuming certain types of cheese may actually improve sleep quality. The British Cheese Board's study in 2015 found that 75% of participants slept well after eating a 3-ounce piece of cheese before bed. Additionally, a long-term study of 400,000 Britons revealed that eating cheese was linked to a 28% lower risk of sleep apnea.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese contains | Tryptophan, Tyramine, Vitamin B6, HDL ("good" cholesterol), Testosterone |
| Effect on sleep | May aid a good night's sleep, reduce stress, improve sleep quality and quantity, reduce risk of sleep apnea |
| Effect on dreams | May cause vivid dreams, dreamless sleep, or bizarre dreams |
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What You'll Learn
- Cheese contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps the body produce serotonin, which improves sleep
- The British Cheese Board study found that 75% of people slept well after eating cheese before bed
- Tyramine in cheese causes the brain to release stimulating 'fight or flight' hormones, which may disrupt sleep
- Cheese is high in vitamin B6, which can improve sleep quality and make dreams more vivid
- A study of 400,000 people found that eating cheese was linked to a 28% lower risk of sleep apnea
Cheese contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps the body produce serotonin, which improves sleep
It turns out that eating cheese before bed might not be such a bad idea after all. While cheese contains tyramine, a naturally occurring compound that causes the brain to release stimulating 'fight or flight' hormones, it also contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps the body produce serotonin, which improves sleep. Tryptophan is used by the body to produce serotonin, the hormone that makes you feel happy, which has a significant impact on sleep. A study found that "tryptophan-enriched cereal intake improves nocturnal sleep, melatonin, serotonin, and total antioxidant capacity levels and mood in humans".
Vitamin B6, which is also found in cheese, can also improve your quality of sleep and lead to vivid dreams. Dr Lisa Medalie explains that vitamin B6 increases the level of serotonin in your body, which will cause your dreams to be more vivid and improve your memory, helping you remember your dreams.
While cheese has been linked to a reduction in inflammation and enzymes that are elevated in sleep apnea, it is also high in fat, which is the slowest macronutrient to digest. Therefore, while your mind may be ready to sleep, your body might still be working hard to digest the cheese, potentially disrupting your sleep.
In addition, tyramine levels increase when food is at room temperature, so cheese at room temperature may keep you awake longer than cheese that is eaten straight from the fridge.
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The British Cheese Board study found that 75% of people slept well after eating cheese before bed
Contrary to popular belief, eating cheese before bed may actually aid a good night's sleep. A study by the British Cheese Board found that 75% of people slept well after eating a 3-ounce piece of cheese before bedtime.
Cheese contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which can induce sleepiness. Tryptophan is used by the body to produce serotonin, the hormone that makes us feel happy and significantly impacts sleep. A study found that "tryptophan-enriched cereal intake improves nocturnal sleep, melatonin, serotonin, and total antioxidant capacity levels and mood in humans".
However, cheese also contains tyramine, a compound that causes the brain to release stimulating 'fight or flight' hormones. Strong, blue, and aged cheeses such as Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, and Stilton contain higher levels of tyramine than young, soft cheeses like cottage cheese. Tyramine levels also increase when food is at room temperature, so a slice of Brie left out may keep you awake longer than cheese eaten straight from the fridge.
The British Cheese Board study also found that different types of cheese induced different types of dreams. For example, women who ate British Brie experienced relaxing dreams, while men reported odd or obscure dreams. Stilton cheese was found to produce the most vivid and bizarre dreams, including dreams about soft toys coming to life and soldiers fighting with kittens. On the other hand, Cheshire Cheese led to dreamless nights and a well-rested feeling in the morning.
While the British Cheese Board study provides interesting insights, it is worth noting that the company may have a bias towards promoting cheese consumption. Additionally, cheese is rich in fat, which is the slowest macronutrient to digest. Therefore, while cheese may help induce sleepiness, it could potentially disrupt sleep as the body works to digest it.
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Tyramine in cheese causes the brain to release stimulating 'fight or flight' hormones, which may disrupt sleep
While cheese contains tryptophan, an amino acid that can make you feel sleepy, it also contains tyramine, a naturally occurring compound that can have the opposite effect. Tyramine causes the brain to release stimulating 'fight or flight' hormones, which may disrupt sleep.
Strong, blue, and aged cheeses, such as Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, Stilton, Gorgonzola, Camembert, and Feta, contain higher levels of tyramine. Tyramine levels also increase when food is at room temperature. Therefore, eating cheese at room temperature may keep you awake longer than cheese consumed straight from the fridge.
The stimulating effect of tyramine may be counteracted by the sleep-inducing effects of tryptophan. Tryptophan is used by the body to produce serotonin, the hormone that makes you feel happy and significantly impacts sleep. Vitamin B6, which is also found in cheese, can also improve your quality of sleep by increasing serotonin levels.
In addition to its potential sleep-enhancing properties, cheese has been linked to a lower risk of sleep apnea. A long-term study involving 400,000 Britons found that those who ate cheese had a 28% lower risk of sleep apnea and influenced 23 biomarkers linked to the condition. However, doctors advise against overindulging in cheese to reduce the risk of sleep apnea, as excessive consumption may contribute to weight gain, a risk factor for the condition.
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Cheese is high in vitamin B6, which can improve sleep quality and make dreams more vivid
While cheese has a reputation for giving people nightmares, it turns out that eating cheese before bed might actually improve your sleep. A study by the British Cheese Board found that 75% of people slept quite well after eating a 3-ounce piece of cheese before bedtime.
Cheese contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which can make you feel sleepy and relaxed. Tryptophan is used by your body to produce serotonin, the hormone that makes you feel happy, which significantly impacts sleep.
Cheese is also high in vitamin B6, which can improve sleep quality. Vitamin B6 increases serotonin levels in your body, which can cause your dreams to be more vivid and improve your memory, helping you remember your dreams.
However, cheese is rich in fat, which is the slowest macronutrient to digest. So, while your mind may be ready to drift into dreamland, your body might still be working hard to digest the cheese, potentially disrupting your sleep.
In addition, tyramine, a naturally occurring compound in cheese, causes the brain to release stimulating 'fight or flight' hormones. Strong, blue, and aged cheeses, such as Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, and Stilton, contain higher levels of tyramine. Tyramine levels also increase when food is at room temperature, so cheese at room temperature may keep you awake longer.
Despite these potential drawbacks, eating cheese before bed may still be beneficial for sleep, especially for those with sleep apnea. A long-term study involving 400,000 Britons found that people who ate cheese had a 28% lower risk of having sleep apnea. The data also revealed that eating cheese influenced 23 biomarkers linked to sleep apnea, including a reduction in inflammation and enzymes associated with the condition.
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A study of 400,000 people found that eating cheese was linked to a 28% lower risk of sleep apnea
While cheese has long been believed to cause nightmares, recent studies have found that eating cheese before bed may actually improve sleep quality. A 2025 study published in Sleep Medicine journal analysed data from 400,000 participants in the UK Biobank and FinnGen Biobank studies. The researchers discovered that those who consumed cheese had a 28% lower risk of sleep apnea compared to non-cheese eaters. The data also revealed that eating cheese influenced 23 biomarkers linked to sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterised by abnormal pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep, disrupting the quality of sleep. The study's findings suggest that dietary interventions, such as cheese consumption, may play a role in reducing the prevalence of sleep apnea and associated health risks.
However, it is important to note that the link between cheese consumption and reduced risk of sleep apnea is not fully understood. Doctors treating sleep apnea caution that the relationship is more complicated. While cheese may have beneficial effects, excessive consumption can lead to weight gain, which is a risk factor for sleep apnea.
Additionally, the type of cheese consumed may be a contributing factor. Some cheeses are considered "healthy" as they are higher in protein, lower in fat, and rich in nutrients and key vitamins. These nutritional qualities may have influenced the positive association observed in the study.
Furthermore, cheese contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which is known to promote sleep. Tryptophan helps the body produce serotonin, the hormone that enhances feelings of happiness and positively impacts sleep. Vitamin B6, also found in cheese, can improve sleep quality and lead to more vivid dreams.
While the study suggests a potential benefit of cheese consumption in reducing the risk of sleep apnea, more research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and any potential side effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, cheese is good for sleep. It contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps your body produce serotonin, the hormone that makes you feel happy and improves your sleep.
A study found that 75% of people slept well after eating a 3-ounce piece of cheese before bedtime. Some specific cheeses that have been found to aid sleep include Cheshire, Red Leicester, and British Brie.
Cheese is rich in fat, which is the slowest macronutrient to digest. Therefore, while your mind may be ready to sleep, your body might still be working hard to digest the cheese, potentially disrupting your sleep.
No, a study by the British Cheese Board ruled out cheese as a cause of nightmares. However, some people have reported vivid dreams after consuming certain cheeses like Stilton and British Brie.
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