Stories

Wed, 24 Jun 2026

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 The Food Chain

From kiwi fruit to caffeine: what helps, and what hinders, a good night's rest?
The relationship between food and sleep has been explored by Ruth Alexander on The Food Chain podcast. Professor Marie-Pierre St-Onge from Columbia University discusses her decades-long research on diet and sleep quality, including how poor sleep can affect eating habits, certain dietary patterns associated with better sleep, and the importance of nutrients like fibre and tryptophan. Dr Allie Hare, a sleep physician and President of the British Sleep Society, shares insights from the clinic, addressing common questions about caffeine, alcohol, herbal remedies, and sleep supplements, as well as debunking misconceptions about improving sleep. The hosts explore whether there are "sleep foods", the role of meal timing, and why social media trends and expensive supplements may be distracting people from evidence-based advice on improving sleep.