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Introduction
Sleep is one of the most critical yet often overlooked components of health, performance, and overall well-being. Poor sleep quality or insufficient sleep can disrupt circadian rhythms, impair glucose metabolism, and alter hunger signals, leading to increased food intake, reduced insulin sensitivity, and other undesirable outcomes.
In this episode, we bring together expert discussions from some of the leading researchers in sleep science, to explore what defines high-quality sleep, the mechanisms behind sleep regulation, and the factors that influence sleep-wake cycles, from light exposure to psychological stress.
Related resources
- Join the Sigma newsletter for free
- Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium
- Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course
- Episodes referenced:
- [02:14]The importance of sleep duration and timing
- [05:32]Exploring sleep intensity and architecture
- [07:50]Defining good quality sleep
- [12:46]The two process model of sleep regulation
- [19:06]What is sleep?
- [24:47]Socioeconomic factors and sleep
- [34:30]The impact of blue light on sleep
- [47:10]Wake drive and sleep pressure
- [52:44]Stress, anxiety, and sleep
- [58:27]Common sleep disorders
- [01:06:26]Sleep and eating behavior
The Hosts
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Dr. Alan Flanagan has a PhD in nutrition from the University of Surrey, where his doctoral research focused on circadian rhythms, feeding, and chrononutrition.
This work was based on human intervention trials. He also has a Masters in Nutritional Medicine from the same institution.
Dr. Flanagan is a regular co-host of Sigma Nutrition Radio. He also produces written content for Sigma Nutrition, as part of his role as Research Communication Officer.
Danny Lennon has a master’s degree (MSc.) in Nutritional Sciences from University College Cork, and he is the founder of Sigma Nutrition.
Danny is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Sports Nutrition Association, the global regulatory body responsible for the standardisation of best practice in the sports nutrition profession.
Introduction to this Episode
Sleep is one of the most critical yet often overlooked components of health, performance, and overall well-being. Poor sleep quality or insufficient sleep can disrupt circadian rhythms, impair glucose metabolism, and alter hunger signals, leading to increased food intake, reduced insulin sensitivity, and other undesirable outcomes.
In this episode, we bring together expert discussions from some of the leading researchers in sleep science, to explore what defines high-quality sleep, the mechanisms behind sleep regulation, and the factors that influence sleep–wake cycles, from light exposure to psychological stress.
Useful Terminology for this Episode
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