Bedtime banana and milk intake on sleep and biochemical parameters.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of milk and banana given as a bedtime snack to patients with primary insomnia on sleep parameters and some biochemical parameters such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, leptin, and ghrelin. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: 21 patients with insomnia who met the inclusion criteria participated in this study. The patients were divided into 3 parallel groups: banana, milk and control. The intervention group were given either 1 portion of banana or just 200 mL of whole-fat milk at bedtime. The control group did not consume any non-routine food. Venous blood samples were taken at baseline and after the study from patients to measure brain-derived neurotrophic factor, leptin and ghrelin concentrations. Sleep quality and architecture were determined by polysomnography and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index scores of the banana and milk group were found to be lower after intervention (p<0.05). In terms of polysomnography, the total sleep time of the milk group was found to be significantly higher than baseline. Serum ghrelin concentration of the milk group decreased significantly compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Bedtime milk or banana intake was effective in dealing with insomnia. Foods rich in tryptophan, such as banana and milk, given at bedtime, may improve sleep parameters and appetite hormones.

What to eat for a better sleep in haemodialysis patients: Potential role of B vitamins intake and appetite.

OBJECTIVE: Sleeping disorders are common among Haemodialysis-HD patients. In addition to well-known factors, food consumption impact on sleep quality needs being discovered. Aim was to examine the nutrition-related factors that may influence sleep quality in HD patients. METHODS: One hundred and three patients in three HD centres participated. Data were collected with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-PSQI and Questionnaire Form about socio-demographic characteristics and appetite. Biochemical findings were obtained; food consumption for three consecutive days was recorded. Independent Samples t/Mann Whitney U tests for mean comparison; Logistic Regression Analysis for determining variables affecting sleep quality, were used. RESULTS: Mean age was 59.19±14.57 years. 51.5% were women. 37.9% had good (PSQI<5) and 62.1% had poor (PSQI≥5) sleep quality. Appetite had significant impact on sleep quality; poor sleeping risk was 4.194 fold higher in patients with bad appetite than those with good appetite (p=0.038). Biochemical findings of poor and good sleepers were similar, except for potassium and creatinine. Vitamins B1, B6 and folate intake of good and poor sleepers were significantly different. Patients with good sleep quality consumed significantly higher amounts of above B vitamins (p=0.030, p=0.036, p=0.034, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Favourable effect of appetite and certain nutrients intake on sleep quality in HD patients was shown. Improving nutritional status of HD patients has potential to increase their sleep quality.

Factors associated with the weight change trend in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: the case of Turkey.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To determine the weight change trend among the adult Turkish population after 1 yr of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and factors associated with weight change. MATERIALS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 26 February and 6 March 2021 using an online questionnaire that included questions for sociodemographic variables, eating habits, stress level, and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18. Those who weighed themselves 1-2 weeks before the pandemic was declared in Turkey and remembered their weight were invited to participate in the study. Trends in weight and body mass index (BMI) change were calculated. The variables associated with a 1% change in BMI were assessed using hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: The study was conducted with 1,630 adults (70.25% female) with a mean age of 32.09 (11.62) yrs. The trend of weight change was found to increase by an average of 1.15 ± 6.10 kg (female +0.72 ± 5.51, male +2.16 ± 7.22 kg) for the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate of participants with a normal BMI (18.50-24.99 kg/m2) decreased to 51.91% from 55.75%. Consuming an "Increased amount of food compared to before the pandemic" was found to be the independent variable that had the strongest association with a 1% increase in BMI (ß = 0.23 P < 0.001). The average change in the BMI was higher in older individuals than in those who were younger. A high stress level was associated with a decrease in BMI (ß = -0.04 P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the factors associated with weight change after 1 yr of the pandemic in the Turkish population was reported for the first time. A high stress level and increased weight gain trend still occur in Turkey after 1 yr of the pandemic.

Evaluation of the Effect of Macronutrients Combination on Blood Sugar Levels in Healthy Individuals.

BACKGROUND: The positive effects of blood glucose levels should be demonstrated in healthy or type 2 diabetic individuals who can be recommended to consume macronutrients (protein + fat) with carbohydrates. Therefore, at the end of the research planned with the amount of carbohydrates and fats that can be consumed in a meal, we aimed to recommend the consumption of food with high protein content egg together with the carbohydrate source. METHODS: The study was carried out from Nov 2017 to Apr 2018 by looking at fasting blood glucose levels using feeding 2 different test foods on a minimum of 8 h of fasting in the Haliç University Sutluce Campus, Istanbul, Turkey. Before and after the carbohydrate and carbohydrate + protein source, blood glucose was measured from the fingertip for 3 days in 30 min, 60 min and 120 min periods. The average of 3 days was used in the analysis. RESULTS: Blood glucose values were compared after individuals were given carbohydrate and carbohydrate + protein source. The mean blood glucose value 60 min after the carbohydrate administration was significantly higher than the average blood glucose value 60 min after the carbohydrate + protein administration (P= 0.006). CONCLUSION: A protein-containing diet positively affects the glycemia response and can recommend it. In individuals with diabetes, they should focus on the effects of proteins to achieve glycemia control.

Association between carbohydrate quality index and dietary patterns, sleep quality, anxiety level, and depression symptoms: A cross-sectional study

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between carbohydrate quality and sleep quality, depression, anxiety, stress and anthropometric measurements. Methods: The carbohydrate quality was calculated using the total fiber intake, ratio of whole grains to total grains, the ratio of solid carbohydrates to total carbohydrates, and the glycemic index. Sleep status was determined using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and nutritional status was determined by taking a 1-day food consumption record and food consumption frequency. Results: It was found that 20% of the participants with the highest carbohydrate quality had the highest sleep quality and the lowest body mass index. Conclusion: Adults should be informed that the quality of carbohydrates that they consume, was associated with better sleep quality and some micronutrients (potassium, magnesium, vitamin A-D-K-C-B1-B6, Folate) but no significant correlation was found between anxiety, depression, and stress scores

Objetivos: Este estudio se realizó para determinar la relación entre la calidad de los carbohidratos y la calidad del sueño, la depresión, la ansiedad, el estrés y las medidas antropométricas. Métodos: La calidad de los carbohidratos se calculó utilizando la ingesta total de fibra, la proporción de granos integrales a granos totales, la proporción de carbohidratos sólidos a carbohidratos totales y el índice glucémico. El estado del sueño se determinó utilizando el índice de calidad del sueño de Pittsburgh (PSQI) y el estado nutricional se determinó tomando un registro de consumo de alimentos de un día y la frecuencia de consumo de alimentos. Resultados: Se encontró que el 20% de los participantes con la mayor calidad de carbohidratos tenían la mejor calidad de sueño y el índice de masa corporal más bajo. Conclusión: Se debe informar a los adultos que la calidad de los carbohidratos que consumen, se asoció con una mejor calidad del sueño y algunos micronutrientes (potasio, magnesio, vitamina A-D-K-C-B1-B6, folato), pero no se encontró una correlación significativa entre las puntuaciones de ansiedad, depresión y estrés.