This Type Of Fiber Can Enhance Sleep & Manage Stress, Study Finds 

Prebiotic nutrients help nourish your microbiome's good bacteria, which can support healthy digestion, but according to new research, the benefits of prebiotics go way beyond the gut. 

Scientists at the University of Colorado–Boulder split young, male rats into two groups and studied the physiological effects of different diets. One group ate a normal diet, while the other was given a diet of prebiotic-rich foods.

While sleeping, the group who ate prebiotic nutrients spent more time in non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep, which is a dreamless sleep state that promotes restoration. After experiencing stress, though, they spent more time in rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, which the study called "stress recovery." 

The group who ate a normal diet experienced unhealthy changes in body temperature, and when under stress, their gut microbiomes became less diverse. 

To do this, they studied stool samples of both rat groups and measured their metabolites (aka the molecules produced after food is digested). 

Certain foods, like leeks, cabbage, onions, and lentils are rich in prebiotic fibers. Since the rats in this study were fed extremely high doses of the nutrient, it's unclear whether diet alone can promote sleep. 

"You'd probably have to eat a whole lot of lentils and cabbage to see any effect," Thompson said, so how much is enough?

C.U. Boulder is currently performing human studies, which when complete, might be able to answer that question.