Sleep deprivation might increase weight, says a new study. A part of the brain known as salience network might prompt you to eat more fat and less carbohydrate following a poor night sleep that may increase body weight.
“Although this study examined the effects of acute total sleep deprivation, similar changes may occur in response to the chronic partial sleep restriction that is so prevalent in today’s society,” said study’s senior author Hengyi Rao from the University of Pennsylvania.
Researcher analysed 34 sleep deprived participants and 12 controls in a sleep lab for five days and four nights. All the subjects were kept under supervision round the clock. All the participants were deprived of a good night rest. Scientists found that due to poor sleep participants consumed nearly 1,000 calories more than the average intake while they were awake. In addition, healthy people consumed more fat-rich diet and fewer carbohydrates than less healthy people.
While explaining Rao said that increased activity was recorded in a brain region called salience network after a poor sleep that might lead to more fat intake and less carbohydrate consumption which further triggers weight gain and may lead to obesity eventually. It is the first time that any study has found an interlink between poor sleep and obesity.
Obesity is becoming a common disease among young Americans. However, with obesity comes several other illnesses including high blood pressure, cardio diseases, diabetes, etc. Moreover, poor sleep is also related to several other diseases like depression, stress, poor work productivity. Sleep deprivation is very common among people working in shifts. Thus, researchers warned people to take a good night rest that will help them in long run eventually.
The findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
