If you are an early riser, be thankful, because recent studies have shown that you tend to be a healthier individual compared to night owls. Along with being physically healthy, there are more benefits that you enjoy being an early riser.
Huffington Post reported that data analysis made on 850,000 Jawbone UP fitness trackers located from all over the world found that early risers tend to be healthier, giving truth to the old saying that, "The early bird gets the worm." This time around, the worm consists of healthier life-giving foods.
According to the sleep and nutrition report, users who sleep earlier than 11 p.m. consistently tend to eat more nutritious foods and pack on lesser calories compared to night owls. Individuals who belong to the night owl category, or those who sleep between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m., are more prone to reach for unhealthy foods such as processed carbs and meats, refined sugars, and saturated fats. They also consume more alcohol and caffeine. This food behavior plays a great role in sleep and weight loss.
Dr. Kirstin Aschbacher, scientist at Jawbone, said that, "If you go to bed an hour earlier, and do so consistently for a year, in theory, this could add up to [a loss of] 4-5 pounds with no changes in activity."
This latest finding is consistent with two previous studies which revealed the link between sleep and weight loss. One was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition which stated that those who sleep more have the tendency to eat lesser amounts of saturated fats. The University of California, Berkeley study showed that teenagers who sleep late also tend to gain more weight.
Aside from the healthy benefits that the body gets for being an early riser, the habit also provides other non-health related benefits. According to Forbes, early risers tend to earn better grades as students. Professionals who are deemed as early risers tend to be more proactive, have the ability to anticipate problems and are better planners.
In view of the foregoing, early risers may indeed have an edge over night owls when it comes to health and overall well-being. So if you love sleeping late, perhaps now is the time to start changing your sleep patterns and take it upon yourself to be an early riser.
