Why not sleeping enough makes you hungrier
Effect of shortened sleep on energy expenditure, core body temperature, and appetite: a human randomised crossover trial
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
When guys got only 3.5 hours of sleep for three nights, their bodies made less of the 'I'm full' hormone, felt hungrier, and their body temperature dropped slightly—even though they didn’t burn more calories overall.
Surprising Findings
Sleep restriction didn’t increase total daily energy expenditure—even though participants were awake longer and had higher nighttime calorie burn.
Most people assume being awake more = burning more calories. This study proves the body compensates, making total energy burn unchanged—so extra hunger = extra weight gain.
Practical Takeaways
If you’re trying to lose or maintain weight, prioritize 7+ hours of sleep—not just diet and exercise. Even one night of poor sleep can trigger hormonal hunger spikes.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
When guys got only 3.5 hours of sleep for three nights, their bodies made less of the 'I'm full' hormone, felt hungrier, and their body temperature dropped slightly—even though they didn’t burn more calories overall.
Surprising Findings
Sleep restriction didn’t increase total daily energy expenditure—even though participants were awake longer and had higher nighttime calorie burn.
Most people assume being awake more = burning more calories. This study proves the body compensates, making total energy burn unchanged—so extra hunger = extra weight gain.
Practical Takeaways
If you’re trying to lose or maintain weight, prioritize 7+ hours of sleep—not just diet and exercise. Even one night of poor sleep can trigger hormonal hunger spikes.
Publication
Journal
Scientific Reports
Year
2017
Authors
Masanobu Hibi, C. Kubota, Tomohito Mizuno, S. Aritake, Y. Mitsui, M. Katashima, S. Uchida
Related Content
Claims (7)
Even after sleeping only 3.5 hours a night for three nights, young men burned the same total amount of energy and used the same mix of carbs and fats as when they slept 7 hours.
After sleeping only 3.5 hours a night for three nights, young men reported feeling much hungrier and more tempted to eat, and less full after meals, even when they ate the same food as when they slept longer.
When young men slept only 3.5 hours a night for three nights, their bodies produced less of the hormones that tell them they’re full, making them feel hungrier.
When young men slept less, their body’s internal temperature dropped slightly over two days, suggesting their body’s natural daily temperature cycle was disturbed.
Elevating core body temperature through thermogenic stimuli suppresses the secretion of hunger-regulating hormones.