Sleep and Gut Health: What you Need to Know

A 2016 study conducted in Sweden examined the impact of sleep on the gut. Results showed that after only two days of reduced sleep (about 3-4 hours per night), there was a significant impact on the gut microbiota. There were huge changes in the ratios of some of the beneficial bacteria (Bacteroides and Firmicutes). The 20 men in the study weren’t taking antibiotics, and they weren’t eating and drinking junk food; they were simply reducing their sleep.

The researcher was stunned to see such incredible changes in the gut microbiota because of a short-term reduction in sleep. This is essential information for shift workers, airline pilots, people who work crazy hours, or sleep-deprived people.

Further readings:

I’ve always hammered on about the importance of sleep when it comes to restoring your health, and particularly when it comes to repairing your gut. I’ve known this for decades, that people with poor sleep always have poor digestive health, especially when they have very disturbed sleep cycles. That is essential information for you have.

The other interesting finding in this study was that insulin sensitivity had increased by 20%. In other words, people with disturbed sleep cycles tend to have insulin levels that resemble the levels found in obesity. Broken sleep can push you into craving sugar, simple carbs, and putting on weight. It’s essential to fix your sleep if you want good digestive health.

Check out some of my sleep videos on YouTube. One of the most vital things to cultivating good health is developing good sleep.

Sources: