Sleep Longer for a Healthier Diet

If one of your resolutions for this year is to eat more healthy foods, one way is to start sleeping better. 

According to a study by King’s College London, sleeping for longer each night is a simple lifestyle intervention that could help reduce intake of sugary foods and lead to a generally healthier diet.

As part of their study, the researchers looked at the impact of increasing sleep hours on nutrient intake. They found that extending sleep patterns resulted in a 10-gram reduction in reported intake of free sugars compared to baseline levels. The researchers also noticed trends for reduced intake of total carbohydrates reported by the sleep extension group.

Principal investigator Dr. Wendy Hall said, ‘The fact that extending sleep led to a reduction in intake of free sugars, by which we mean the sugars that are added to foods by manufacturers or in cooking at home as well as sugars in honey, syrups and fruit juice, suggests that a simple change in lifestyle may really help people to consume healthier diets.’

The study followed the sleep patterns of 21 participants. 

Source: News Release