Name: How sleep affects what (and how much) you eat
Uploaded: 2021-12-08T15:46:32Z
Duration: 1 min 52 s
Description: Did you know that not getting enough sleep can actually make you hungrier? According to sleep scientist Matt Walker, the relationship between what you eat and your sleep is a two-way street. Here's why understanding it can help improve your overall health.

Matt Walker: How sleep affects what (and how much) you eat

How sleep affects what (and how much) you eat

Did you know that not getting enough sleep can actually make you hungrier? According to sleep scientist Matt Walker, the relationship between what you eat and your sleep is a two-way street. Here's why understanding it can help improve your overall health.

Getting too little sleep disrupts hormones that control hunger, making people feel less satisfied after eating and crave more food. Even just one night of poor sleep can lower levels of leptin, the hormone that signals fullness, while raising ghrelin, which triggers hunger. This shift not only boosts overall appetite but also drives a preference for sugary, high-calorie foods. Interestingly, routinely overeating or eating lots of sugar can also harm sleep quality, creating a cycle that affects both weight and wellness.