Catch Some Shut-eye - It Could be Good for Your Waistline

Although sleeping more may not sound like an effective diet strategy, it might just help you maintain a healthy weight.

A recent study published in SLEEP tracked 1,088 pairs of US twins and found that sleeping fewer than seven hours each night was linked to a higher BMI (body mass index), as well as greater genetic influences on BMI.

Previous research has found similar results in people who slept for longer at night compared to those who skimped on the shut-eye, but this study’s emphasis on twins suggests that genetics alone do not determine weight, but that sleep is an important lifestyle factor at play. According to the study, “short sleep duration increases expression of genetic risks for high body mass index.”

Although further research needs to be done, we may all be able to learn from the moral of the story: try to catch seven hours of sleep (or more) per night, every night.

Test your sleep knowledge with this quiz. And if you’re having trouble nodding off, check out these natural sleep aids.