Sleep Patterns and Tryptophan Consumption among Students at Spanish Universities: The Unihcos Project

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to explore sleep patterns and the potential relationship between sleep and tryptophan intake among Spanish university students. A total of 11,485 students self-reported their sleep and dietary patterns and habits. Tryptophan intake was calculated using a food intake matrix and results were presented as quartiles of total intake. Short sleep duration prevalence was 51.0%, with males exhibiting a significantly higher frequency. A total of 55.0% of participants presented inadequate sleep efficiency, with males again presenting a higher rate. Median tryptophan intake was 692.16 ± 246.61 mg/day, 731.84 ± 246.86 mg/day in males and 677.24 ± 244.87 mg/day in females (p = 0.001). Dietary tryptophan intake below the first quartile (<526.43 mg/day) was associated with a higher risk of short sleep duration in males (1.26; 95%CI: 1.02–1.55) and females (1.19; 95%CI: 1.05–1.34) and with the Athens Insomnia Scale insomnia in males (2.56; 95%CI: 1.36–4.82) and females (1.47; 95%CI: 1.10–2.05). Regarding academic specializations, females in the humanities field showed a higher risk of Athens Insomnia Scale insomnia due to low tryptophan intake (Q1: 3.15; 95% CI: 1.04–9.55 and Q2: 3.41; 95%CI: 1.01–11.5). In summary, lower tryptophan consumption appears to be associated with poorer sleep quality in Spanish university students; however, other social factors affecting students may also influence sleep quality. These findings have important implications for nutritional recommendations aimed at enhancing tryptophan intake to improve sleep quality.

This study was funded by the National Drug Plan from the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality of Spain (Grant numbers: 2010|145, 2013|034 and 2020|030) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Grant number: PI16/01947).