Lack of sleeps makes brains feel hungry

New research has revealed that a specific brain region that contributes to a person's appetite is more active after one night of sleep loss.

The study at Uppsala University shows that a lack of sleep over a long period of time can contribute to a person's risk of becoming overweight by affecting food perception.

Using magnetic imaging, researchers studied the brains of 12 normal-weight males when they viewed images of food. They then compared the results after a night with normal sleep and without.

Christian Benedict, researcher on the study, explained: "Bearing in mind that insufficient sleep is a growing problem in modern society, our results may explain why poor sleep habits can affect people’s risk to gain weight in the long run."

In order to maintain a healthy weight, Britons should ensure that they receive approximately eight hours sleep per night.

Eating the right foods and having regular exercise, particularly cardiovascular activities, is also important to prevent piling on the pounds.

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