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. 2024 Aug 1;82(8):1087-1110.
doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad113.

Nutritional interventions in treating menopause-related sleep disturbances: a systematic review

Dominik Polasek  1 , Nayantara Santhi  1 , Pamela Alfonso-Miller  1 , Ian H Walshe  2 , Crystal F Haskell-Ramsay  3 , Greg J Elder  1
Affiliations

Nutritional interventions in treating menopause-related sleep disturbances: a systematic review

Dominik Polasek et al. Nutr Rev. .

Abstract

Context: Sleep disturbances are a core symptom of menopause, which refers to the permanent cessation of menstrual periods. Nutritional interventions may alleviate menopause-related sleep disturbances, as studies have shown that certain interventions (eg, tart cherry juice, or tryptophan-rich foods) can improve relevant aspects of sleep.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to examine the effect of nutritional interventions for menopause-related sleep disturbances, in order to inform the subsequent development of specific interventional trials and assess their potential as a treatment for menopause-related sleep disturbances.

Data sources: Published studies in English were located by searching PubMed and PsycArticles databases (until September 15, 2022).

Data extraction: Following full-text review, a final total of 59 articles were included. The search protocol was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Data analysis: A total of 37 studies reported that a nutritional intervention improved some aspect of sleep, and 22 studies observed no benefit. Most (n = 24) studies recruited postmenopausal women, 18 recruited menopausal women, 3 recruited perimenopausal women, and 14 recruited women from multiple groups. The majority of the studies were of low methodological quality. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, a narrative synthesis without meta-analysis is reported.

Conclusion: Despite the large heterogeneity in the studies and choice of intervention, the majority of the identified studies reported that a nutritional intervention did benefit sleep, and that it is mainly subjective sleep that is improved. More high-quality, adequately powered, randomized controlled trials of the identified nutritional interventions are necessary.

Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021262367.

Keywords: menopause; nutrition; nutritional intervention; sleep.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of search and selection process.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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