The research we're taking a look at.
Many people skimp on sleep throughout the week and take a look at to make up for lost time on the weekend. But a study published on February 28 Current biology shows that this strategy won't necessarily reverse the negative effects of sleep deprivation in your body.
The study, conducted in a sleep lab, tested the health effects of three sleep strategies over a two-week period. Participants in a single group were allowed to sleep as much as nine hours an evening. Those within the second group were restricted to 5 hours an evening. People within the third group slept five hours an evening throughout the week, but were allowed to sleep on Saturdays and Sundays.
Researchers found that individuals who were sleep deprived — defined as lower than seven hours an evening — experienced changes of their metabolism, a 13 percent decrease in insulin sensitivity, and the study's gained a median of three kilos during The group allowed to make amends for weekend sleep saw no improvement in these markers, and the researchers found that after they went back to their five-hour weekday sleep schedule, their sleep improved. Quality actually deteriorated.
The message is that this: Instead of playing catch-up on the weekends, it's much better to persist with a consistent sleep schedule that enables for not less than seven hours an evening.
Photo: © Mladen Zivkovic/Getty Images