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Junk food confusion
PHOTO DIMA_SIDELNIKOV/ISTOCK.COM
Ever notice how the day after a lousy night of sleep, you’re more inclined to reach for a croissant for breakfast or snack on a bag of chips when that 3pm slump hits? You could chalk this up to your motivation, but research from Northwestern University found that your likelihood of consuming sugary or fried foods the day after hitting the snooze button could have more to do with your brain – and nose. When sleep deprived, your olfactory system – or sense of smell – sharpens so it can better differentiate between food and non-food odours. Unfortunately, your brain doesn’t have the capacity to receive those messages as well as it usually would, and you’ll likely overcompensate for the miscommunication by grabbing the most convenient and energy-dense option you can get your hands on. Two areas of your brain that are responsible for sending messages to each other regarding smell, taste and how much food is in your stomach also get their wires crossed when you haven’t clocked enough time between the sheets, making it more likely that you’ll overindulge.
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STRONGFITNESSMAG.COM.AU
April/May 2020
