A recent study suggests that cheese may cause nightmares, especially for people with food intolerances. Scientists found a link between dairy, nightmares, and poor sleep. The lead researcher, Dr. Tore Nielsen, explained that dairy—particularly in lactose-intolerant individuals—can disrupt sleep and trigger disturbing dreams.
Over 1,000 university students in Canada took part in this research. They were asked about their diet, dream experiences, and sleep quality. Many linked their vivid or bad dreams to eating cheese or dairy late in the day. When researchers looked deeper, they found lactose intolerance was often tied to nightmares and restless nights.
The optical connection between digestion and sleep came through gastrointestinal discomfort. Lactose intolerance often leads to bloating and other issues, which may carry over into dream states. That discomfort may then trigger unsettling dreams or nightmares. So if you’ve noticed bad dreams after cheese, it might not be a coincidence.
Doctors believe avoiding certain trigger foods, like dairy, may help people sleep better. They also recommend tracking your food and sleep to see patterns. If cheese may cause nightmares for you, it might be worth switching to dairy-free alternatives before bed.
Improving Sleep with Better Food Habits
Experts suggest changing your diet can be a natural way to improve sleep. Finishing dinner at least two hours before bedtime is one tip. Avoiding spicy foods, heavy fast food, and caffeine before bed also helps. A light snack like fruit with nut butter or hummus with veggies is a better choice.
Keeping a food diary can help identify which foods lead to poor sleep or strange dreams. Herbal teas like chamomile or lemon balm can also support sleep. For those with intolerances or allergies, meeting with a dietitian may help create a sleep-friendly meal plan.
It’s clear that your diet affects more than digestion—it also shapes your dreams. So next time you enjoy a late cheese snack, remember: cheese may cause nightmares, and it might be worth skipping for sweeter dreams.
