The most notable association was found regarding magnesium. People with low magnesium levels in their blood and a deficiency in their diet were more likely to suffer from poor sleep. This association remained significant even when accounting for factors such as age, gender, and body mass index, which may indicate a potential independent role of magnesium in sleep regulation.
As for zinc, the results were somewhat different: elevated serum zinc levels correlated with a lower likelihood of poor sleep, while a deficiency of this trace element significantly increased the risk of sleep disturbances. However, the amount of zinc in the diet did not show a connection with sleep quality.
Copper, unlike magnesium and zinc, showed no significant association with sleep quality, either from blood tests or dietary data. The authors of the study note that their work is cross-sectional and reveals only statistical associations; therefore, longer and interventional studies are needed to clarify causal relationships.
