To keep the figure, nothing like a good night's sleep, advises doctor Jimmy Mohamed on Friday on Europe 1. According to several studies, sleeping less pushes to eat more.

A balanced dinner promoting sleep, diet and sleep are closely linked. 

What if to keep fit you just had to start with a good night's sleep?

According to several medical studies, people who sleep less well tend to eat more during the day.

This is in particular due to a hormonal imbalance induced by the lack of sleep, explains doctor Jimmy Mohamed, health consultant of Europe 1. A balanced dinner promoting sleep, healthy food and sleep work according to him in a virtuous circle. 

Sleep is often summed up as a passive process when absolutely extraordinary things are happening.

During the night, we produce in particular leptin, a hormone responsible for satiety that prevents you from waking up at night to eat.

Because the night corresponds in fact to a period of fasting.

Conversely, ghrelin, the hormone responsible for appetite, is blocked during this period.

The less we sleep, the more we eat

The problem is, when you are deprived of sleep, these hormones change.

That of appetite increases and that of satiety will decrease.

Studies have shown that people who lack sleep consume 300 kilograms more calories per day than those who get enough sleep.

It may not seem like much, but still corresponds to 2,000 calories a week, almost a day of meals.

A balanced meal, the key to a good night's sleep

On the food side, there are things on the contrary that promote a good night's sleep.

Eat a balanced diet in particular, paying attention to fast sugars.

A study has shown that consuming less of it could increase the period of REM sleep.

Certain foods, such as kiwi fruit, also improve all biological parameters, without knowing exactly why.

The same goes for the cherry, which allows you to sleep better.

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A consumption of rice in the evening would also have shown a beneficial action.

Other studies suggest that the Mediterranean diet, based on legumes, fish and white meat, would also allow you to sleep better, thanks to these foods rich in melatonin and serotonin.

In any case, taking care of your figure and your health undoubtedly starts with a good night's sleep.