I don't think anybody is going to be disappointed in being told that they may need more sleep (especially all of you college kids out there). By not logging an adequate number of Z's, you can be putting on weight without even noticing. Yep, you read that right. Research has found that when you deprive yourself of sleep, you're prompted to eat more.
So why does this happen? When you don't get enough sleep, your body's ability to signal when you've consumed enough calories is disabled, leading you to consume more than you need to be eating. Not only that, but you're likely to sidestep the healthy snacks in lieu of something more sugary. Due to exhaustion, your body stops producing leptin (a fat cell that alerts your body when you've eaten enough) and produces more ghrelin (a chemical that creates sugar-cravings). Your body is essentially looking for a way to keep itself awake and turns to sugar for a quick-fix.
By logging 7 to 9 hours of sleep, you not only help keep your hunger in check, but you also speed up the growth hormone that works to repaire tissue, which is necessary after you've put your muscles to work.
If you're debating pulling an all-nighter, keep these facts in mind! For more information on the effects of a leptin-sensitivity decrease, as well as helpful tips on how to get more sleep, click the link here.
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