Jonathan Wilhoite Blog: Insomnia Linked To Junk Food Cravings

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Insomnia Linked To Junk Food Cravings

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Craving and downing too much junk food may actually indicate signs that you have not slept well, based on a study about sleep deprivation linked to junk food.

In a recent study published by Sleep, researchers opined that the cravings have something to do with the endocannabinoid system (eCB), which is responsible for regulating the body’s appetite, feeding controls and energy homeostasis.

Cannabinoid receptors that make up the eCD system produce compounds that bind and also activate these receptors that correlate the effects of sleep loss and with appetites. This is based on separate studies that have shown significant results on the increased risks for obesity as an effect of sleep deprivation.

The link established by the eCD system between food craving and sleep deprivation is a breakthrough in sleep and diet research, as scientists are able to hone in the system responsible for linking the two and could help in further research to address the problems that result from on sleep deprivation and obesity.

The research involved intensive sleep monitoring and activity tests by 14 non-obese participants aged 18 to 36. They specifically chose the subjects based on their body mass index profile with less than 28 BMI for men and less than 27 for women.

The participants were made to monitor and track their routine sleep patterns and duration of 7.5 to 8.5 hours and have been tested prior to eliminate any chances of them having any sleep-related disorders, along with glucose and blood samples to establish benchmark data.

Two separate lab experiments were conducted with a four week gap that separated each test. The initial test required the subjects to sleep 8.5 hours for four consecutive nights and the second test had them sleep for 4.5 hours for four consecutive nights.

They were also limited to non active or sedentary activities and only allowed access to dim lighting during their waking hours until 10:30 PM. All participants were provided the same kind and amount of meals and these were the instances when researchers were able to determine the link.

Those with signs of sleep loss were the ones who reportedly showed signs of craving for food. They were the same ones who chose snacks instead of regular food compared to the ones who were properly rested.

In a separate study by the National Sleep Foundation, they claimed that about 65% of Americans are classified as overweight or obese based on data from the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) and bear a correlation with sleep loss with those belonging to the group.

So whether you are hungry or not, make sure to get enough sleep, otherwise sleep deprivation linked to junk food bingeing could get you bloating up in no time.

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