Summary:
Metabolic syndrome is a common condition characterised by a combination of abdominal obesity, impaired glucose regulation, abnormal blood lipids, and high blood pressure. It affects around one-quarter of adults worldwide. Although genetic factors contribute to risk, lifestyle and environmental influences play a major role. Poor diet and physical inactivity promote obesity and insulin resistance, while sleep disturbances are frequently reported in people with metabolic syndrome. Evidence suggests a two-way relationship, where metabolic dysfunction may disrupt sleep through inflammatory and hormonal pathways, and poor sleep may further worsen insulin resistance, lipid abnormalities, and weight gain. Diets rich in whole foods with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties have been associated with improvements in metabolic risk factors and sleep quality. Observational studies have shown that individuals with metabolic syndrome have poorer sleep quality, particularly in the presence of dysregulated glucose and low HDL cholesterol, highlighting the close interaction between metabolic and sleep-related processes. This study examined whether a structured dietary management program could improve sleep quality alongside metabolic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress markers in adults with metabolic syndrome and sleep disturbance. Participants received a dietary intervention consisting of a whole-food, antioxidant-rich diet and were assessed before and after the program. Following the intervention, improvements were observed across multiple metabolic measures, including glucose regulation, lipid profile, liver enzymes, and uric acid. Markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were also reduced, alongside improvements in sleep quality. Smoking status and insulin resistance emerged as key factors associated with poorer sleep outcomes. Overall, this study suggests that structured dietary management may support both metabolic health and sleep quality in people with metabolic syndrome, reinforcing the value of diet-based, non-pharmacological approaches in comprehensive management.
Abstract:
Background: Sleep disorders frequently co-occur with metabolic syndrome (MetS), yet effective strategies targeting both conditions remain limited. Inflammation and oxidative stress represent shared mechanisms, suggesting dietary management as a promising dual-target intervention. This study aimed to evaluate whether structured dietary management could improve sleep quality and metabolic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress parameters in patients with MetS. Methods: We conducted a single-arm prospective interventional study including 158 patients with MetS and sleep disorders [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) > 7] between August and October 2024. Participants received a structured dietary management program. Clinical characteristics, metabolic parameters, and inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers were assessed before and after intervention. Paired tests evaluated pre–post changes, and stepwise multivariate linear regression was performed to identify independent predictors of sleep quality. Results: Dietary intervention significantly improved liver enzymes, lipid profile (triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C), glucose metabolism (fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR), and uric acid levels (all P < 0.05). TNF-α and hsCRP were markedly reduced (P < 0.001), while IL-6 showed a non-significant trend (P = 0.075). Oxidative stress improved, with lower MDA and higher SOD levels (P < 0.05). Regression analysis identified smoking status and insulin resistance as independent predictors of PSQI scores, underscoring the interplay between lifestyle factors and metabolic dysfunction in sleep health. Conclusion: Structured dietary management improves metabolic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress profiles while enhancing sleep quality in patients with MetS. The findings highlight dietary and lifestyle modifications as integral to comprehensive management strategies for MetS with sleep disturbances.
Article Publication Date: 12/12/2025
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1712215
