Weight Gain
Most people are aware of the connection between sleep and weight gain. After all, when an individual is tired, they’re more likely to reach for unhealthy snacks and forego activities like working out. But the link between sleep deprivation and weight gain goes beyond making poor choices. Sleep deprivation can result in weight gain.
When someone doesn’t get enough sleep, the body doesn’t have time to repair itself properly. This can lead to increased inflammation, which has been linked to obesity. Sleep deprivation also alters the levels of hormones in the body that control hunger and fullness. When someone lacks sleep, the body produces more ghrelin, a hormone that triggers hunger, and less leptin, a hormone that tells the body when it has had enough to eat. As a result, sleep-deprived people end up eating more than they would if they were well-rested.
Sleep deprivation also makes it harder for the body to process insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps the cells convert blood sugar into energy. When the body can’t process insulin effectively, the sugar stays in the blood instead of being used for energy, increasing fat storage and weight gain over time.
