GREENSBORO, N.C. — If you're like many, you might be looking forward to catching up on some sleep on the weekend. But a new study shows that might not be possible.
A new study in "Current Biology" suggests sleeping longer over the weekend can't reverse the negative health effects of losing sleep during the week.
Researchers found sleep-deprived participants who slept in on the weekends gained an average of 3 pounds over 2 weeks. They even had decreased insulin sensitivity, which puts them at risk for diabetes.
But you can still minimize the effects of poor sleep. Avoid late-night snacking. Experts say it can reduce some of the negative effects of insufficient sleep.