THE SURPRISING LINK BETWEEN SLEEP AND SUGAR

By Kevin Jones

If you are trying to curb your sugar cravings, a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition may have a solution for you. The study, carried out by researchers from King’s College in London, found that getting at least 7 hours of sleep at night can help people to consume less sugar the next day. According to the study’s findings, more shut-eye leads to healthier eating habits, key among them a reduction in sugar consumption.

MORE SLEEP, LESS SUGAR

We know that getting less than the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep every night is a risk factor for a host of health issues including diabetes, stroke, heart disease and even obesity. This particular study shows that another downside to lack of sleep is worsened sugar cravings.

The study recruited 42 participants, who were then divided into 2 groups. Half of them were trained in better sleeping practices designed to increase their sleeping time. This included things like avoiding electronic devices or caffeine before bedtime, not going to bed hungry or too full etc. The other 21 participants were not asked to change their sleeping habits. Both groups were asked to wear sleep tracking devices and kept a diary of their dietary habits for the duration of the study.

The results were quite interesting. After 4 weeks, the participants who successfully increased the amount of sleep they got each night were found to have reduced their added sugar intake by up to 10 grams per day at the end of the study. These individuals craved less sugar and carbohydrates than those who maintained their sleep schedules.

THE EXPLANATION BEHIND IT

The reason behind the findings is simple. When you don’t get sufficient sleep, you wake up cranky and tired. So you reach for a sugar-laced cup of coffee and perhaps a donut or pastry to give you a much-needed energy boost to get you through the morning. You might then have something sweet for lunch as well and another sweet treat in the afternoon when your energy dips again.

By bedtime, you’ll have eaten several sugar-laden meals throughout the day in an effort to buoy your flagging energy. Come nightfall, your body will be used to these sugar highs every few hours and you’ll find it hard to sleep for 8-9 hours straight with no food.

This is a typical example of how sugar affects our bodies and sleep patterns. It causes a vicious cycle that will ultimately ruin your health unless you take measures to replace simple sugars in your diet and improve your sleep habits.

The good news is that getting more quality sleep will help you curb your sugar cravings which will, in turn, help you catch a full night’s rest. So make the necessary changes today and watch your health flourish.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kevin Jones is a health and fitness blogger and a regular contributor to a number of fitness websites. He writes for NordicTrack. During his free time, he likes to be very active and spend time with his wife and two children shredding the slopes of Park City, Utah or chasing down the Salt Lake City Korean food trucks. Connect with him online; LinkedIn– Twitter

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