If you have trouble controlling late night sugar binges, lack of sleep might be the culprit a new study indicates. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation contributes to increased consumption of fatty and sugary foods according to the report published in the journal, eLife.

REM sleep, otherwise known as deep sleep, is a phase in the sleeping cycle of mammals. Rapid eye movement and nearly thorough paralysis of the body are characteristics.

Earlier studies found direct links between sleep loss and weight gain. One of them, involving 30,000 participants, discovered that those who slept less than six hours per night were more susceptible to weight gain over a 1-year period versus others who slept seven to eight hours per night.

And subjects that obtained insufficient sleep—five hours or less—were more likely to eat weight-gaining types of foods. Sleep deprivation consecutively over five days was inversely associated with hunger and fat intake.

These studies suggested that the prefrontal cortex was largely responsible for this behavior. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for quantifying the palatability of foods by measuring their taste, smell, and texture.

Researchers used a novel approach to reproduce REM sleep loss in mice while using ad hoc biochemical techniques to block prefrontal cortex neurons and the behaviors produced.

The analysis revealed that obstructing these neurons reversed the effect of REM sleep loss and the intake of sugary foods but fatty food consumption remained the same.

Obese individuals have an increased activity in the prefrontal cortex region while eating high calorie foods.

Source: Times of India