Association Between Methyl Donor Nutrients Intake With Sleep Duration, Sleep Quality and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Among Adults Publisher Pubmed

Summary: Can methyl-donor nutrients improve sleep? In 535 adults, higher intake was linked to fewer short sleepers, but not better sleep quality or inflammation markers. #Nutrition #Sleep

Poursalehi D ; Foroughi M ; Moradmand Z ; Shahdadian F ; Saneei P
Source: Nutrition Journal Published:2026

Abstract

Objective: Sleep disorders could negatively affect physical and mental health status of adults. These consequences might occur through increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammation. This study was aimed to assess dietary intake of methyl donor nutrients with sleep quantity and quality, concentrations of oxidative stress and inflammation among adults. Methods: This study was conducted with a cross-sectional design on 535 adults aged 20–65 years. A multilevel cluster random-sampling approach was applied to choose participants. Methyl donor nutrients intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Quantity and quality of sleep were evaluated through the validated Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. Fasting blood samples of subjects were gathered to determine serum levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. Results: Prevalence of short sleeping and poor sleep quality among participants were 70.1% and 28.6%, respectively. High methyl donor nutrients score (MDNS) was inversely related to short sleeping in fully-adjusted model (OR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.19–0.91). However, no significant association was observed in terms of poor sleep quality (OR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.34–1.47). In addition, no significant associations were seen between MDNS with levels of glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Conclusions: Dietary intake of methyl donor nutrients was inversely associated with short sleeping, but not related to poor sleep quality. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm this finding. © The Author(s) 2026.