Sleep apnea is a global scourge, but researchers suggest cheese could be a weapon against the disease. This recent study, published in the journal “Sleep”, highlights a relationship between cheese consumption and a reduced risk of sleep apnea. This link could offer new avenues for the prevention of this condition which affects millions of people around the world.
An Innovative Method for Studying Causal Links
To explore this relationship, the researchers used Mendelian randomization (MR), a method for analyzing causal links using genetic variants as instruments. This approach helps overcome bias and achieve more reliable public health results. Using this technique, the study was able to eliminate confounding factors and focus on the direct relationship between cheese and sleep apnea.
Cheese reduces risk of sleep apnea
The results are striking: the study found a significant inverse association between cheese consumption and the risk of sleep apnea. In other words, the more cheese we consume, the more the risk of developing this disease decreases. The odds ratio (OR) of 0.724 (p=0.00478) demonstrates a substantial reduction in the probability of suffering from this disorder among cheese consumers. This discovery could have a major impact on managing the risks associated with sleep apnea.
How does cheese affect your health?
But how can we explain this phenomenon? The study identified several biomarkers mediating this relationship. Among these, we find key elements such as aspartate aminotransferase, urea, cystatin Cas well as hormones such as testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin. These biomarkers appear to play a central role in how cheese influences metabolism and reduces the risks of sleep apnea. The beneficial effect of cheese could be largely attributed to its impact on these biological factors.
A new pillar of sleep apnea prevention?
This study opens up interesting perspectives for public health. While sleep apnea remains a major health problem, simple dietary interventions, such as increasing cheese consumption, could offer an accessible way to reduce this risk. However, although the results are promising, Further research is needed to confirm these findings and better understand the underlying mechanisms. Researchers emphasize the importance of continuing studies to strengthen the evidence and broaden the understanding of the impact of diet on this disease.
