sleeplessness

A team of researchers from Boston University have discovered a chemical that has a major influence on our falling asleep or staying awake.

Findings of the study, which appear in the 'American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,' add to the growing body of evidence that lack of proper sleep can lead to weight gain, not only by boosting hunger but also by slowing the rate at which calories are burned.

Previously, some studies have suggested people who sleep for less than five hours or less are more likely to gain weight and fall prey to weight related diseases, the Daily Mail reports.

The study found evidence that inadequate sleep worsens the medical condition. They found diabetics who suffer from insomnia have higher levels of insulin resistance.

Insulin helps the body use glucose for energy. In insulin resistance, cells fail to use the hormone efficiently, resulting in high blood sugar which can have serious health consequences and lead to frequent hospitalizations.