How Sleep Controls Hunger More Than Calories
How Sleep Controls Hunger More Than Calories How Sleep Controls Hunger More Than Calories Many people try to control hunger by counting calories. But hunger is not controlled by the stomach. It is controlled by sleep. If sleep is broken, appetite becomes distorted. No amount of calorie control can fully override that signal. 1. Hunger Is a Hormonal Signal, Not Willpower Your body decides when you feel hungry based on hormones. Two hormones dominate appetite control: • Ghrelin – increases hunger • Leptin – signals fullness 2. Sleep Loss Increases Ghrelin When you sleep less, ghrelin rises. This makes you feel hungry even when your body has enough energy. 3. Sleep Loss Suppresses Leptin Poor sleep reduces leptin. You eat more but feel less satisfied. This combination drives overeating automatically. 4. Why You Crave Sugar When You’re Tired Sleep deprivation pushes the brain toward fast energy. This increases cravings for sugar and refined car...