Have you ever wondered why resisting that sugary treat is so hard, even when you’re not hungry? The answer might surprise you.
It turns out that your sleep habits could be the secret weapon in your battle against sugar cravings.
This little-known connection between sleep and sugar might change your thoughts about late-night snacking habits.
The Sleep-Sugar Connection
Scientists have discovered a strong link between sleep quality and sugar cravings.
In a fascinating study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found that people who increased their sleep duration reduced their intake of added sugars by as much as 10 grams the next day.1
That’s like saying no to two and a half sugar cubes!
Consider incorporating this all-natural solution into your routine to support sound sleep and help manage blood sugar levels. It contains 20 vital bio-available fruit, flower, and bark extracts with essential vitamin and mineral support.
The Hormone Rollercoaster
But why does sleep have such a powerful effect on our sugar cravings?
Two significant reasons (among others) are the hormones leptin and ghrelin.
Leptin tells your body when you’re full, while ghrelin signals hunger.
When you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces less leptin and more ghrelin.2
This hormone imbalance can make you hungrier and crave high-calorie, sugary foods.
The Willpower Drain
Here’s another surprising fact: lack of sleep can weaken your willpower.
When you’re tired, the part of your brain responsible for making decisions and controlling impulses is impaired.3 This means that when you’re faced with a sugary temptation, your sleep-deprived brain might have a more challenging time saying no.
Think about all those times you indulged in late-night snacking while watching TV, even when you knew you should have been sleeping and not eating. Now you know why.
The Smell and Taste Bud Twist
A study found that sleep deprivation influences the endocannabinoid system, which affects smell and appetite, making sweet snacks more appealing. 3a
Similarly, a study published in the Journal Sleep found that sleep-deprived people rated sweet foods as less sweet, which might lead them to eat more sugar to get the same satisfaction.4
The evidence indicates that sleep-deprived individuals make poor dietary decisions, mainly to gravitate toward sugary and high-fat food options.
Use Sleep To Cut Cravings
So, what can you do with this information? Here are a few ideas to help you use sleep as a tool to combat sugar cravings
1. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. This is the recommended amount for most adults.
2. Stick to a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends. This helps regulate your body’s internal clock.
3. Create a relaxing bedtime routine to help you wind down before sleep. Turn off the computer and TV and stay off your mobile phone at least 45 minutes before bed to disengage your mind.
4. Track your sleep and sugar intake. You might notice that going to bed on time may help you avoid late-night snacking. This powerful solution supports healthy blood sugar levels and deep, relaxing sleep.
Get Help With Sleep
As the harmful effects of sugar on the body become more evident, it is clear that it is one of the most addictive and destructive substances known to man.
As you seek to control your sugar cravings, prioritizing quality sleep should become a cornerstone of your strategy.
Better sleep does more than reduce your cravings. It is also excellent for other aspects of metabolic health, such as blood sugar and diabetes management and a healthy lipid profile.
Of course, other significant benefits are unrelated to cravings, such as better cardiovascular health, increased physical performance, and mood.
But as the saying goes, old habits die hard. Staying up late and snacking throughout the night can be very challenging habits to break.
This all-natural solution, which supports sound sleep and healthy blood sugar levels, could help you have healthier nights.
Achieve Health, Defy Limits!
References:
1.Al Khatib, H. K., et al. (2018). The effects of partial sleep deprivation on energy balance: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 72(11), 1385-1394.
2.Taheri, S., et al. (2004). Short sleep duration is associated with reduced leptin, elevated ghrelin, and increased body mass index. PLoS Medicine, 1(3), e62.
3.Greer, S. M., et al. (2013). The impact of sleep deprivation on food desire in the human brain. Nature Communications, 4, 2259.
3a. Kahnt, T. (2021). Here’s how skimping on sleep can change your appetite. Science. Retrieved from https://www.science.org/content/article/here-s-how-skimping-sleep-can-change-your-appetite.
4.Szczygiel, E. J., et al. (2019). Sleep deprivation differentially affects subcomponents of cognitive control. Sleep, 42(5), zsz016.
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