man-909049_1920We all know it’s important to get 7-9 hours of sleep a night, but in the United States 40% of adults don’t get the recommended amount. Sleep is even more important if you’re trying to lose weight. Here are a number of reasons why you’ll want to hit the hay earlier if you’re trying to lose weight but getting less than 7 hours a night.

Ghrelin– this is sometimes referred to as a “hunger hormone.” It sends a signal to the brain that it’s time to eat. The less you sleep, the more Ghrelin your body produces, thus making you feel more hungry, more often.

Leptin– this is another hunger hormone that sends the signal to your brain that you are full. Without an adequate amount of sleep leptin levels drop. This signals your brain to eat more food while desensitizing your feeling of fullness.

Cortisol</