Getting more sleep might help you lose weight.
British scientists determined that adults who upped their sleep time managed to cut down on sugary foods.
The Sleep Study
The study included adults who typically slept for less than seven hours per night. Some participants were instructed to increase their slumber by about an hour and a half, and to follow good sleep habits such as avoiding caffeine before bed, establishing a relaxing routine, and not going to bed too full or hungry. The others made no changes to their sleep habits. All participants in both groups kept food diaries during the seven-day trial.
The Results of the Study
Those in the group that increased their sleep time consumed about 10 fewer grams of sugar per day. “The fact that extending sleep led to a reduction in intake of free sugars, by which we mean the sugars that are added to foods by manufacturers or in cooking at home as well as sugars in honey, syrups, and fruit juice, suggests that a simple change in lifestyle may really help people to consume healthier diets,” said researcher Wendy Hall, PhD.
