"Watermelon Hwachae Doesn't Make You Gain Weight"... Abdominal Obesity Caused by Late-Night Snack Temptations and Sleep Deprivation

Analysis has emerged stating that sleep deprivation caused by the summer heat can affect appetite-regulating hormones, leading to weight gain and abdominal obesity. In particular, the habit of consuming cold foods together with carbohydrates is pointed out as a factor that harms gut health and accelerates obesity.

Imbalance of Appetite-Regulating Hormones Caused by Sleep Deprivation

If a state of sleep deprivation, where one cannot fall asleep due to tropical nights, continues, changes occur in our body's appetite regulation system. According to the expert's explanation in the video, the less sleep one gets, the more the hormone 'leptin', which suppresses appetite, tends to decrease, while the hormone 'ghrelin', which stimulates appetite, tends to increase.

These hormonal changes make it easier to feel hungry, which ultimately results in an increased risk of weight gain by leading to late-night snack consumption or overeating. This is precisely why it is difficult to overcome the temptation of late-night snacks even if one reduces dinner for the sake of dieting due to sleep deprivation.

The Impact of Consuming Cold Foods and Carbohydrates on Gut Health

The video also covered the negative impact that the habit of seeking cool foods in hot weather has on gut health. The participant consumed hwachae (fruit punch) with plenty of ice made from watermelon as a late-night snack to cool down the heat, but subsequently showed symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea. The habit of eating food hurriedly was also identified as a major cause that puts a burden on the digestive organs.

In particular, it was emphasized that the habit of consuming cold foods and carbohydrates together is like a 'direct train' leading to abdominal obesity. Excessive weight gain and poor eating habits threaten colon health and can be factors that increase the risk of colorectal cancer, such as the discovery of adenomas in recent health checkups.

The Necessity of Weight Management and Improving Eating Habits

As a result seen through the participant's case, active weight management is essential in a state of serious abdominal obesity, such as recording a weight of 83kg and a waist circumference of 42 inches. Experts cited weight management as the most important method to protect colon health. As the large intestine is an organ directly linked to colorectal cancer, which is called a 'silent killer', efforts are required to correct sleep deprivation and bad eating habits that cause hormonal imbalances.