A poor night’s sleep can leave you feeling tired and sluggish, but did you know it can also lead to weight gain?

In recent years, researchers have found a strong connection between sleep deprivation and obesity. A study conducted at the University of Chicago sheds light on how lack of sleep affects appetite and food choices.

Sleep helps the body recover and repair itself. It gives time to the brain to filter out toxins and makes the body ready for the next day.

The link between sleep and weight gain is essential to understand, since a night’s rest impacts how well your metabolism works. Studies show that around 30-40% of obese patients have obstructive sleep apnea. They usually stay awake during the night, resulting in insomnia.

Chronic sleep deprivation can have serious health consequences, especially causing overeating.

Dr. Sunita Nagpal, General Physician at Salubritas Medcentre, warned that chronic sleep deprivation can have serious health consequences, especially causing overeating.

“Lack of sleep affects the hormones leptin and ghrelin, which regulate hunger. Less sleep leads to lower leptin levels, making the body feel hungrier, while ghrelin levels increase, stimulating appetite. This imbalance often results in late-night snacking and overeating.”

Lack of sleep can also feel too tired to exercise. So, reduced physical activity can also lead to weight gain. She explained that inadequate sleep can disrupt insulin production, increasing the risk of diabetes and obesity. “Sleep is also essential for hormone production, including testosterone and growth hormone, which are necessary for muscle growth and repair,” said Dr. Nagpal.        Source: HT