There’s no doubt that a clean and hygienic sleep environment is essential for both physical health and quality rest. But could bacteria actually play a critical role in achieving quality sleep?
As the room that we spend most of our time in (at least 8 hours if you’re doing it properly), the bedroom needs to be a sanctuary, a place of calm and a welcoming environment. However, that’s easier said than done given that hours spent asleep in bed can naturally lead to the build-up of dust, moisture, allergens and bacteria.
A damp and unclean sleep environment is an unpleasant place to be – which over time can affect sleep quality and even trigger issues such as respiratory problems, skin irritation and allergies.
New research suggests, though, that not all bacteria should be considered bad. In fact, scientists have discovered that some bacteria have a critical role to play in improving sleep quantity and quality?
The role of the microbiome
Every human body contains a collection of microorganisms, a menagerie of bacteria, fungi and viruses that have vital parts to play in health and wellness, as well as a long list of bodily functions. Known as the microbiome, these networks of organisms are complex and, just like any ecosystem, rely on balance.
More than 1,000 different species of bacteria have been identified living on or inside of the human body, and each has a specific role. Take your gut microbiome as an example – the bacteria found here aid digestion and extract essential nutrients. In the mouth, microbes of an entirely different nature govern dental health and immune response.
The condition of your microbiome directly influences your physical and mental health, with the microbiome’s role in the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases currently being explored.
Gut bacteria and your sleep
With the microbiome playing such an active role throughout the body, it should come as no surprise that it has a bearing on the way we sleep. Recent research has delved deeper into how these communities of microbes affect sleep, and findings reveal it’s a very personal affair. It could also explain why some people are heavier sleepers while others are prone to sleep disorders like insomnia.
What the science says
It all comes down the bacterial diversity. Those with greater diversity tend to sleep better and for longer. A study found that adolescents and young adults had a particularly diverse range in their oral microbiomes. Those with lower diversity tend to be more susceptible to sleep problems according to this research.
Those with less consistent sleeping patterns – or ‘social jetlag’ as it is often referred to – also came under the spotlight, with this data proving that their gut microbial composition is “significantly different” than normal sleepers.
Scientists are now exploring if addressing microbial imbalances in the gut and mouth could help people sleep more soundly. The BIOME study, which is still under peer review, analysed the use of probiotics and prebiotics for sleep improvement.
Don’t banish the bacteria!
Although we take great care at Mammoth to develop anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic sleep environments that are fresh, clean and comfortable, as the research above proves, some bacteria are essential to sleep. Supporting the good bacteria living in your gut and mouth is the key to better sleep and wider wellbeing.
Improving your digestive health is easier than you think. You can do just that by staying hydrated, managing stress and avoiding heavy meals before bedtime. A balanced diet that’s rich in fibre, prebiotics and probiotics will help gut bacteria thrive too.
Remember, the gut-sleep connection works both ways, with regular sleep enabling bacteria to grow and vice versa.