Cheese Before Bed Myth: Study Finally Confirms No Link to Nightmares

Cheese Before Bed Linked to Nightmares, Study Finds
(Include image: Cheeseboard with various cheeses)

The age-old warning that cheese causes nightmares might hold some truth, according to new research by The Odd Company. Their study reveals eating cheese before bed increases nightmare likelihood by 93%, with some varieties posing greater risks than others.

The Experiment
Thirty participants ate 30g servings of brie, cheddar, stilton, and mozzarella on separate nights. Results showed vivid, unsettling dreams—like being cheated on, attacked by robots, or scolded by a teacher—were common. Brie triggered nightmares in 68% of cases, followed by stilton (63%), cheddar (56%), and mozzarella (40%). Additionally, cheese consumption cost participants over an hour of lost sleep nightly, with women losing slightly more than men.

(Include image: Brie vs. mozzarella comparison)

Why Cheese Disrupts Sleep
Dietitian Amie Alexander explains:

• Digestion: High fat and protein content slows digestion, raising body temperature and disrupting deep sleep.
• Tryptophan: This amino acid boosts serotonin and melatonin, potentially amplifying REM sleep (when vivid dreams occur).
• Tyramine: Aged cheeses like stilton and cheddar contain this stimulant, which may increase brain activity and intensify dreams.

Fresh cheeses like mozzarella, lower in tyramine, proved less disruptive. The Mayo Clinic notes aged cheeses typically have higher tyramine levels.

Conflicting Research
A prior British Cheese Board study found 72% of participants slept well after eating 20g of cheese nightly, with no nightmares reported. Researchers attributed this to tryptophan’s stress-reducing effects.

(Include image: Person enjoying cheese hours before bed)

Expert Advice
The Odd Company advises avoiding cheese 2–4 hours before bedtime. For late-night cravings, opt for lighter snacks and prioritize sleep hygiene—like limiting screens and maintaining a cool bedroom.

Conclusion: Cheese’s impact may vary, but if nightmares plague you, consider skipping the midnight cheeseboard.

(Fact Box: Nightmare rates by cheese type)

• Brie: 68%
• Stilton: 63%
• Cheddar: 56%
• Mozzarella: 40%

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