Even when they sleep, people burn calories, an aspect that surprises many. Sleep requires much less energy than most daytime activities, but it is still an active time for the brain and other processes in the body.
There is no rule of thumb, however, because the exact number of calories burned during sleep depends on a complex interaction between sleep, diet, exercise, and other variables. If you’re struggling with weight management or energy levels, an understanding of the factors that influence your metabolism can help you regain control of your health.
As a very rough number, we burn around 50 calories per hour while we sleep. However, each person burns a different amount of calories during sleep, depending on their basal metabolic rate (BMR).
Basal metabolic rate refers to the energy required for essential functions such as respiration, circulation, temperature regulation, and cell growth and repair.
For most people, the basal metabolic rate accounts for about 80% of the total calories burned in a day. The brain itself burns glucose for energy, accounting for about 20% of calories consumed at rest.
Sleep is a time when the body repairs and regenerates. To do this more efficiently, the body’s temperature drops, breathing slows, and metabolism decreases.
On average, most people burn about 15% fewer calories during sleep compared to their basal metabolic rate during the day.
Basal metabolic rate varies from person to person, depending on a number of factors, only some of which can be changed:
Height and weight. The bigger a person’s body, the more calories their body needs to function.
Physical condition. Muscle burns more calories than fat, so people who are fit and regularly active burn more calories, even at rest.
Kind. Men generally have a higher basal metabolic rate.
Age. Growing children have a higher metabolism, but metabolic needs decrease with age.
Diet. Following a healthy diet can help manage your body fat composition.
Sleep quality. Poor sleep quality and insufficient sleep have a detrimental effect on metabolism.
Race. Some studies show that African Americans may have a naturally lower BMR.
Genetic inheritance. It can influence the metabolism to a certain extent.
Hormones and some health problems. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, and other conditions can increase or decrease the basal metabolic rate. Consult your doctor if you suspect that a certain condition may be affecting your metabolism.
Since we burn more calories when we’re awake, it’s no surprise that skipping a night of sleep causes us to temporarily burn more calories. However, studies have shown that in the long term, a chronic lack of sleep is linked to obesity.
2023-08-08 11:37:00
#calories #consume #sleep
