Aim: 

In the present study, the authors investigated if night time consumption of cereals enriched with tryptophan (150mg/100g), adenosine 5'P (5,3 mg/100g) and uridine 5'P 6,3 mg/100g) influences nocturnal sleep and levels of 6-sulphatomelatonin (6-SFM) and antioxidant status in adults.

Methods: 

Adults with sleep problems (n=10 males; 50-6 years of age) received the enriched cereals (25 g/nigtly) for 7 days. Nocturnal sleep was registered by an actimetre (actiwach, Sleep analysis); 6–SFM levels and antioxidant status were quantified in urine by ELISA y colourmetric Kits respectively.

Results: 

Our results show some improvement in sleep, although not significant, an increase in urine of 6-SFM, which is correlated with an increase in the production of melatonin. This in turn is related to an increase in antioxidant capacity in urine which expresses less oxidation due to increased melatonin at night. The subjects presented improved global sense of well being as well as in other aspects of their life.

Conclusion: 

Our results indicate the benefit of administration of cereals enriched with functional ingredients to an adult population with altered sleep patterns in whom circulating melatonin levels start to decrease

We are grateful to Laboratorios Ordesa S.L. for the preparation of the study cereals.