How sleep can affect your appetite
You already know that not getting enough sleep can change the way you feel, but research shows that a lack of sleep can also change the number on your scale.
Studies suggest that sleep deprivation is associate with increased hunger and cravings for high-calorie, high-carb foods, like fast-food and sweets. This is because sleep changes the levels of key hormones that regulate hunger.
3 sleep-dependent hormones that regulate hunger
- Ghrelin: Lack of sleep increases this hunger-controlling hormone, which then causes you to eat more
- Leptin: Sleep loss also causes your appetite-suppressing hormone to decrease
- Cortisol: This stress hormone increases when you don’t get adequate sleep, which may stimulate your appetite
Also, new research shows that sleep deprivation increases levels of a brain chemical similar to the chemicals in marijuana, causing a craving for high-fat foods.
Many people don’t realize that being short of sleep can make a huge difference in your appetite, but getting more of that deep, restful sleep can help get you back on track.