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Step away from that mid-afternoon Snickers bar and instead dig your fork into a couple of eggs. A new study in the scientific journal Neuron suggests that protein helps keep people awake and thin.
The study found that protein not sugar activates cells responsible for wakefulness, as well as those that burn calories. The research could have implications for understanding obesity and sleep disorders.?
Both wakefulness and energy expenditure rely on "orexin cells," which secrete a stimulant (orexin/hypocretin) in the brain. In studies, reducing the activity of these cells results in narcolepsy, and has also been linked to weight gain. ?
Scientists compared the actions of different nutrients on orexin cells and found that amino acids nutrients found in proteins such as egg whites stimulate orexin neurons more than other nutrients.?
"Sleep patterns, health, and body weight are intertwined. Shift work, as well as poor diet, can lead to obesity," says lead researcher Dr. Denis Burdakov of the Department of Pharmacology and Institute of Metabolic Science at University of Cambridge.
Burdakov adds: "To combat obesity and insomnia, we need more information on how diet affects sleep and appetite cells. Research suggests that if you have a choice between jam on toast, or egg whites on toast, go for the latter. Even though the two may contain the same number of calories, having a bit of protein will tell the body to burn more calories out of those consumed."
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