Evening sugar intake (≥6 PM) is associated with decreased sleep efficiency in professional male rugby league athletes
In a 7-day observational study of 28 professional male rugby league athletes, each 1 g increase in sugar consumed after 6 PM was associated with a 0.21% decrease in sleep efficiency, and each 1 g/kg increase was associated with a 0.22% decrease. No other significant associations between dietary intake and sleep outcomes were found.
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Evening sugar intake (≥6 PM) is associated with decreased sleep efficiency in professional male rugby league athletes The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
Evening sugar intake (≥6 PM) is associated with decreased sleep efficiency in professional male rugby league athletes
This conclusion is most relevant to: Professional male rugby league athletes during preseason.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸The Relationship Between Dietary Intake and Meal Timing on Sleep Behaviors in Professional Male Rugby League Athletes. (International journal of sports physiology and performance, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Evening sugar intake may cause postprandial hyperglycemia and insulin spikes
- ▸This can lead to nocturnal hypoglycemia and counter-regulatory hormone release
- ▸These hormonal changes may disrupt sleep architecture and reduce sleep efficiency
- ▸Result: Lower sleep efficiency
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Professional male rugby league athletes during preseason
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Observational design cannot establish causality
- ▸Dietary intake was self-reported via smartphone app, which may have measurement errors
- ▸Actigraphy may overestimate sleep efficiency compared to polysomnography
- ▸Short monitoring period (7 days) may not capture habitual patterns
Frequently Asked Questions
Does eating sugar in the evening affect sleep in athletes?▼
Yes, this study found that higher sugar intake after 6 PM was associated with lower sleep efficiency in professional rugby league athletes.
How much sugar intake was associated with poorer sleep?▼
Each 1 g increase in evening sugar was linked to a 0.21% decrease in sleep efficiency, and each 1 g/kg increase was linked to a 0.22% decrease.
What sleep measures were affected by evening sugar intake?▼
Only sleep efficiency was significantly affected; total sleep time, wake after sleep onset, and sleep onset latency were not significantly associated.
Is this study a randomized controlled trial?▼
No, it is an observational study, so it cannot prove that sugar causes poor sleep, only that they are associated.
References
- 1.Sharples A, Fullagar HHK, Hulin B, Duffield R. “The Relationship Between Dietary Intake and Meal Timing on Sleep Behaviors in Professional Male Rugby League Athletes..” International journal of sports physiology and performance, 2026. PMID: 42632633 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2025-0635