Numerous studies show that if you give people the same diet and follow the same exercise regimen, sleep-deprived people (who sleep 5.5 hours or less a day) lose about 55% less body fat in compared to those who sleep at least 8 hours a day. Imagine this – you can burn more fat just by sleeping more. How is that possible at all? Read on to find out.
There are at least three factors that facilitate the fat burning process in good sleepers.
First of all, it is well known that it produces the largest amount of human growth hormone at night, but only if you are asleep (and also, mainly if you are asleep between 10am and 2am). This hormone, known for its anti-aging function, not only helps you build muscle tissue, but it also protects your muscles. And, as you’ve already heard, the more muscle your body has, the more fat it burns.
Second, when you are sleep deprived (and this is especially true if you are awake between 10 PM and 2 AM), your body produces excessive amounts of cortisol, At the wrong time. Cortisol is a stress hormone and triggers a process that burns muscle tissue, slows down metabolism, and stimulates fat storage. In other words, cortisol triggers the breakdown of protein and its subsequent conversion into fat. So you really want to sleep at night to avoid excess cortisol production at the wrong time. (Note: You need cortisol, of course, but early in the morning so you can have energy to move.)
And last but not least, when you get a good night’s sleep, your body produces melatonin that, as indicated in a recent study published in The Journal of Pineal Research, is a powerful fat burner. Melatonin is another hormone and it practically increases brown adipose tissue (that is, good fat) which works in a similar way to muscle tissue in that it burns white adipose tissue (that is, bad fat). In fact, melatonin helps increase your metabolic rate. Additionally, melatonin has been recognized as a powerful anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agent. But you can only produce it at night and only if you are asleep!
So if you want to look good and feel good, go to bed early and treat yourself to a good night’s sleep. Stay up late and you will gradually turn into a fat ball.
