Spanish scientists have discovered that the consumption of melatonin helps regulate weight gain because it stimulates the appearance of "beige fat", a type of fat cell that burns calories instead of storing them. This substance is present naturally in our body but we can also obtain it through the consumption of foods such as mustard, walnuts, almonds or cherries.
The group of researchers, led by the University of Granada (Spain), has revealed for the first time the causes of the metabolic benefit attributed to this substance inherent in our body. Melatonin is a natural hormone secreted by the human body and it reaches its highest levels at night (in the absence of light). It fulfills a function of induction to sleep fundamental for our biological clock.
Through experimentation with obese diabetic rats, scientists found that chronic consumption of melatonin induces the appearance of "beige fat", a type of fat that, unlike white adipose tissue, does not store calories and helps regulate weight bodily. The levels of this "good fat" were not only increased in the obese rats, but also in the lean animals that were used as a control group.
Melatonin is found in small amounts in some fruits and vegetables such as mustard, Goji berries, almonds and sunflower seeds, cardamom, fennel, coriander, and cherries. Sleeping in the dark and eating all of these foods could help control weight and prevent cardiovascular disease associated with obesity and diabetes.
