Archive · 3 Jul 2025
Cheese Dreams: Lactose Intolerance and Nightmares Linked
Eating cheese, especially close to bedtime, could be making you have bad dreams if you have trouble with lactose.
A study looked at people who get tummy troubles from dairy, like cheese, and found they had more nightmares.
It seems the upset in your tummy, caused by lactose intolerance, could make it hard to sleep well and make you dream scary things.
Experts say this could be linked to anxiety from lactose intolerance.
To sleep better, try not to eat cheese or other dairy close to bed, and eat your dinner a few hours before bedtime.
Study suggests a link between lactose intolerance, cheese, and nightmares.
People with severe lactose intolerance reported more frequent and distressing nightmares.
The study builds upon previous research examining food's influence on dreams.
Experts suggest anxiety related to lactose intolerance may disrupt sleep and cause nightmares.
Recommendations include avoiding dairy and eating dinner well before bedtime to improve sleep.
- Who
- Researchers studied participants, some with lactose intolerance.
- What
- Study reveals a connection between lactose intolerance and nightmares.
- When
- Recently, with the publication of a study.
- Where
- The research was published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.
- Why
- To understand how food, specifically dairy, impacts sleep and dreams.
General Recommendations
Practices for good sleep.
General Recommendations
Following general sleep hygiene practices, like keeping a food log or journal to help observe patterns between food and dreams or nightmares.
No opposing side found.
- Study Focus
- Food-dependent dreaming
- Participants
- Over 1,000
- Key Finding
- Lactose intolerance is linked to more nightmares
- Recommended Action
- Avoid dairy near bedtime
- Expert Suggestion
- Anxiety from lactose can disrupt sleep