Previously, we displayed some research on how quality sleep impacts the immune system; now we are exploring how your gut microbiota can impact your sleep.

A small, 2019, human study from the Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida explored this question. Overall, they found that "gut microbiome diversity positively correlated with sleep efficiency and total sleep time, and negatively correlated with wake after sleep onset," which suggests that a healthy microbiome equals healthy sleep.

The study found certain bacteria correlating with sleep efficiency and number of sleep awakenings, while other bacteria helped to synthesize serotonin, which may regulate melatonin production.

Although more research is needed, this study displays yet another example of the role of diversity in overall health.