A good night’s sleep is important for good overall health–that’s something we all know! But being overtired might actually have an impact on the food decisions you make the next day…in a bad way. According to a study from UC Berkely, there may be a connection involving the relationship between the brain, sleep habits and food choices.
UC Berkeley scientists examined the brains of 23 subjects and found impaired activity in the sleep-deprived brain’s frontal lobe (the region that controls decision-making) and increased activity in the deeper regions that respond to rewards. The scientists found a link between altered brain activity related to lack of sleep and the selection of unhealthy foods over healthier options. So people who are sleep deprived may make poor food choices as a result.
This combination could explain why people who sleep less or have difficulty sleeping tend to be overweight, according to Matthew Walker, UC Berkeley professor of psychology and neuroscience and senior author of the study.
What does this mean for you? You may want to forego staying up late to watch your favorite TV program or reading your book and catch some extra Z’s instead!I