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​An Extra 20 Minutes In Bed Can Help You Lose Weight

​An Extra 20 Minutes In Bed Can Help You Lose Weight

The study, carried out by King's College London, found that just 20 minutes of extra sleep a night can help stave off food cravings

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Hitting snooze until about five minutes before you need to be in work is an all-too familiar reality - one that gets most of us almost sacked daily. But it's worth it, because bed is ace, and we'd rather have an extra few minutes dozing than, you know, enjoy any sense of actual job security.

Well, the good news is here, folks. Getting an extra 20 minutes' kip is a positive thing for your body, and can even help boost weight loss, according to new research.

via GIPHY

The study, carried out by King's College London, found that just 20 minutes of extra sleep a night can help stave off food cravings.

Researchers studied 42 healthy people who were slightly sleep-deprived, all of whom were getting between five and seven hours a night. Half were then given help to sleep longer, through advice like avoiding caffeine, establishing a relaxing bedtime routine and not going to bed too full or too hungry. The others carried on with their usual routine, therefore getting the same amount of sleep.

The study then found that 86 percent of the first group were able to increase their sleep by an average of 21 minutes, and after a month of the new, increased sleeping regime were able to cut their sugar intake by almost 10g (0.35oz) - which is a third of their daily allowance.

By finding they'd consumed 2½ fewer teaspoons of sugar per day - the equivalent to around 40 calories - the scientists were able to make a strong link between sleeping and healthier diets.

PA

Haya Al Khatib, from King's College London's Department of ­Nutritional Sciences, said: "Our results show the more sleep you get, the better you eat.

"Extra time in bed is an easy way to help people with their health, diet and weight loss."

Her fellow researcher, Dr Wendy Hall, added: "The fact that extending sleep led to a reduction in intake of free sugars, by which we mean the sugars that are added to foods by manufacturers or in cooking at home as well as sugars in honey, syrups and fruit juice, suggests that a simple change in lifestyle may really help people to consume healthier diets."

So there you go, next time your boss asks why you were 20 minutes late, just tell 'em you're trying to be healthier. If they question it, simply throw some of the study's stats in their face and you might just science your way out of getting fired.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Science, Study, Weight Loss, UK News, News, Research, Sleeping