How could diet affect obstructive sleep apnea?

Since obesity increases the chances of having OSA, various diets have been studied for their effectiveness in treating the disease, either as stand-alone interventions or as part of broader healthy lifestyle changes that include exercise and sleep hygiene. Healthy diets^[1] — particularly those with anti-inflammatory potential^[2] — have been associated with less OSA risk in observational studies. Specific diet interventions have also shown positive effects in people with OSA. A randomized controlled trial testing a paleo-style diet intervention found that sleep apnea symptoms were reduced by the paleo diet compared to a control low-fat diet, but only in participants on the paleo diet who lost significant amounts of body weight.^[3] A randomized controlled trial also found that the Mediterranean diet improved OSA symptoms, regardless of weight loss, when it was combined with a lifestyle intervention that included exercise and healthy sleeping habits.^[4]