A missed night’s sleep may be all it takes to increase appetite and make you eat more. Research shows that a loss of sleep can trigger a reward system in the brain that can cause cravings of “bad” foods.
Until recently, researchers didn’t know if there was a relationship between everyday sleep loss and the brain’s reaction to food. For the study, published in the journal Sleep, volunteers entered a nine-day study period with a built-up sleep deficit. It was found that even small amounts of sleep loss could put the brain at risk for hyperactivation to food triggers, which could be a risk factor for many lifestyle diseases. This may include metabolic disorders such as diabetes.
