NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Just four nights of anxious or restless sleep can cause weight gain, according to a new study.
The study found that restless sleep made the study participants feel less full after eating, while the metabolism of fat in food was low.
The study was conducted on 15 healthy men in their twenties who spent a week of balanced and sufficient sleep.
During their time in the lab, fatty and starchy meals were provided to see how the uncomfortable night schedule affected metabolism.
Most respondents said they felt less satisfied after eating the same rich meal while deprived of sleep.
The researchers then took blood samples from men and found that sleep deprivation led to high levels of insulin, the hormone needed to transport glucose from the bloodstream to the cells.
This results in the body eating fat from the meal more quickly, leading to weight gain.