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Effect of Peanut Butter Intake on Sleep Health in Firefighters: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

  • 2024-04-29
  • International journal of environmental research and public health 21(5)
    • Tiffany J Oberther
    • Andrew R Moore
    • Austin A Kohler
    • David H Shuler
    • Nicole Peritore
    • Angelia M Holland-Winkler

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
Forty firefighters (peanut butter group = 20; control group = 20)
Methods
eight-week randomized controlled trial, consumed two tablespoons of peanut butter two hours prior to bedtime for seven weeks, wore an Actigraph wristwatch to measure sleep variables, completed a subjective questionnaire twice daily
Duration
seven weeks (intervention) within an eight-week trial
Sleep is often impaired in firefighters due to the psychologically and physiologically intense nature of their work and working shift schedules. Peanut butter is affordable and a substantial source of monounsaturated fatty acids, which may aid sleep health. Thus, this study sought to determine if a daily serving of peanut butter consumed before bedtime for seven weeks altered sleep quality and quantity among full-time firefighters. Forty firefighters (peanut butter group = 20; control group = 20) participated in this eight-week randomized controlled trial. All participants completed a subjective questionnaire on mood, focus, and alertness twice daily and wore an Actigraph wristwatch to measure sleep variables, including latency, efficiency, time in bed, time asleep, wake after sleep onset, number of awakenings, and time spent awake. After a baseline week, the peanut butter group consumed two tablespoons of peanut butter two hours prior to bedtime for seven weeks. Compared to the control group, the peanut butter group did not demonstrate significant changes (p > 0.05) in sleep measures or subjective feelings of mood, focus, or alertness after consuming peanut butter for seven weeks. Therefore, peanut butter as a source of peanuts did not alter sleep quality or quantity in this group of firefighters.

Research Insights

  • peanut butter→Improved Attention Span

    Compared to the control group, the peanut butter group did not demonstrate significant changes (p > 0.05) in subjective feelings of alertness

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    two tablespoons per day
  • peanut butter→Improved Focus

    Compared to the control group, the peanut butter group did not demonstrate significant changes (p > 0.05) in subjective feelings of focus

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    two tablespoons per day
  • peanut butter→Improved Mood

    Compared to the control group, the peanut butter group did not demonstrate significant changes (p > 0.05) in subjective feelings of mood

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    two tablespoons per day
  • peanut butter→Improved Sleep Efficiency

    Compared to the control group, the peanut butter group did not demonstrate significant changes (p > 0.05) in sleep measures, including efficiency

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    two tablespoons per day
  • peanut butter→Improved Sleep Quality

    Compared to the control group, the peanut butter group did not demonstrate significant changes (p > 0.05) in sleep measures

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    two tablespoons per day
  • peanut butter→Increased Time Asleep

    Compared to the control group, the peanut butter group did not demonstrate significant changes (p > 0.05) in sleep measures, including time asleep

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    two tablespoons per day
  • peanut butter→Increased Time in Bed

    Compared to the control group, the peanut butter group did not demonstrate significant changes (p > 0.05) in sleep measures, including time in bed

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    two tablespoons per day
  • peanut butter→Reduced Awake Time

    Compared to the control group, the peanut butter group did not demonstrate significant changes (p > 0.05) in sleep measures, including time spent awake

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    two tablespoons per day
  • peanut butter→Reduced Nighttime Awakening

    Compared to the control group, the peanut butter group did not demonstrate significant changes (p > 0.05) in sleep measures, including number of awakenings

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    two tablespoons per day
  • peanut butter→Reduced Sleep Latency

    Compared to the control group, the peanut butter group did not demonstrate significant changes (p > 0.05) in sleep measures, including latency

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    two tablespoons per day
  • peanut butter→Reduced Wake After Sleep Onset

    Compared to the control group, the peanut butter group did not demonstrate significant changes (p > 0.05) in sleep measures, including wake after sleep onset

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    two tablespoons per day
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