Girls (and anyone, really!) might get hungry at night for a few reasons, and one key factor can be a lack of sleep.
The Role of Sleep and Hormones
Here's how inadequate sleep can trigger nighttime hunger:
- Hormone Imbalance: When you don't get enough sleep, it can disrupt your hormone levels.
- Ghrelin: Overtiredness can trigger the release of ghrelin, which is a hormone that spikes food cravings and the feeling of hunger.
- Leptin: Another hormone affected by lack of sleep is leptin. Inadequate sleep can cause leptin levels to change in a way that makes you feel hungry even after eating a meal.
In short, sleep deprivation can trick your body into thinking it's hungry, even when it's not!
