A sleepless night makes us more likely to reach for doughnuts or pizza than for whole grains and leafy green vegetables, suggests a new study from UC Berkeley that examines the brain regions that control food choices. The findings shed new light on the link between poor sleep and obesity.
Study finds that sleep deprivation can make us crave junk food more than healthy food.Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), UC Berkeley researchers scanned the brains of 23 healthy young adults, first after a normal night’s sleep and next, after a sleepless night. They found impaired activity in the sleep-deprived brain’s frontal lobe, which governs complex decision-making, but increased activity in deeper brain centers that respond to rewards. Moreover, the participants favored unhealthy snack and junk foods when they were sleep deprived.
“What we have discovered is that high-level brain regions required for complex judgments and decisions become blunted by a lack of sleep, while more primal brain structures that control motivation and desire are amplified,” said Matthew Walker, a UC Berkeley professor of psychology and neuroscience and senior author of the study published today (Tuesday, Aug. 6) in the journalNature Communications.
Moreover, he added, “high-calorie foods also became significantly more desirable when participants were sleep-deprived. This combination of altered brain activity and decision-making may help explain why people who sleep less also tend to be overweight or obese.”
Previous studies have linked poor sleep to greater appetites, particularly for sweet and salty foods, but the latest findings provide a specific brain mechanism explaining why food choices change for the worse following a sleepless night, Walker said.
“These results shed light on how the brain becomes impaired by sleep deprivation, leading to the selection of more unhealthy foods and, ultimately, higher rates of obesity,” said Stephanie Greer, a doctoral student in Walker’s Sleep and Neuroimaging Laboratory and lead author of the paper. Another co-author of the study is Andrea Goldstein, also a doctoral student in Walker’s lab.
In this newest study, researchers measured brain activity as participants viewed a series of 80 food images that ranged from high-to low-calorie and healthy and unhealthy, and rated their desire for each of the items. As an incentive, they were given the food they most craved after the MRI scan.
Food choices presented in the experiment ranged from fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, apples and carrots, to high-calorie burgers, pizza and doughnuts. The latter are examples of the more popular choices following a sleepless night.
On a positive note, Walker said, the findings indicate that “getting enough sleep is one factor that can help promote weight control by priming the brain mechanisms governing appropriate food choices.”
Source UC Berkeley
More information
For more information on nutrition, including information on types and composition of food, nutrition and people, conditions related to nutrition, and diets and recipes, as well as some useful videos and tools, see Nutrition.
-->
Article Date: 8/8/2013 Related DiseasesObesity
Related Articles: Heart Experts Target Childhood Obesity Less Television And More Gathering Around The Dinner Table Prevents Childhood Obesity Health groups welcome survey to target childhood obesity New data analysis shows possible link between childhood obesity and allergies International bedroom poll: Sleep differences among six countries Great Outdoors Ward Off 'Spring Forward' Sleepiness
Connect
Sign up for free newsletters 
Subscribe to RSS feeds 
Discuss on Forum 
Article Comments Add your comment to this article
Name
Email
Comment
Security Code Change Code
Security Code
Enter the above security Code
User-generated Content Guidelines
Rate this article12345List News by Medical Area All News Men's Health News Women's Health News Children's Health News Allergy News Blood News Bone News Brain News Cancer News Dental News Eye News Fitness News Gastro News Heart News Hormone News Infection News Joints News Kidney News Lungs News Mental Health News Pain News Pregnancy News Skin News Weight Loss News
New on VMC
Orange and Avocado Salad more... 
As the weather warms up – preparing kids for toilet training more... 
Dr Joe: Ear health more... 
Recovering from disaster and trauma more... 
VMC NewslettersVMC newsletters are FREE on subscription. See VMC's previous newsletters here.
Free Membership & NewslettersNot yet a member?Stay up to date with the latest health news
Resend Activation Email -Forgot your Password?Today's medical surveyTrauma
Have you ever suffered second-hand trauma, for example after watching a disaster on TV/internet/or a loved one going through it?
Yes, I sought help from a counsellor/other professional
Yes, I talked through it with loved ones
Yes, but I was too embarrassed to talk about it
No
Other (please comment)
Comment:What is 2 + 2 =
View Results » Current Sponsors About Virtualmedicalcentre.com
Australia�s leading source for trustworthy medical information written by health professionals.
Please be aware that we do not give advice on your individual medical condition,
if you want advice please see your treating physician.
Virtual Medical Centre © 2002 - 2013 | Privacy Policy Last updated 1 Nov 2013
Parenting information is available at Parenthub.com.au
About Us Careers Advertise with us Advertising policy Contact Us Copyright Information Corrections Editorial Advisory Board Investor Information Partners Sitemap Terms of Use User-generated Content
^ Back to Top Partners and Accreditations 
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
For banner advertising
Website and videos by 
Titan Web Clients
Web Design Perth
E F G H
I J K L
M N O P
Q R S T
U V W X
Y Z Medical Information Health Topics Anatomy Devices Diseases Doctor Videos Drugs Health & Lifestyle Investigations Medical Dictionary My Experiences Symptoms Supplements Supportive Care Tools Treatments Useful Links News News & Events Latest News Events Newsletter Newsletters Lifestyles Health and Lifestyles Exercise Family General Mental Health Nutrition Occupational Health and Safety Pregnancy Preventative Health Recipes Sexuality Sleep Smoking and Alcohol Win Competitions Current Competitions Competition Winners Health Professionals Health Professionals Editorial Advisory Board Conferences Events Case Studies Research & Trials Publications Consult Magazine Pro Newsletters Pro Membership
Read more detailed and referenced information written by Australian health professionals, make sure you select health professional in the signup form!
Sign up Login About VMC | Contact Us | Sitemap Follow us on:
No comments:
Post a Comment