Yes, people do burn calories while they sleep, because the body still needs energy to keep breathing, circulating blood, regulating temperature, and supporting brain activity. Sleep lowers energy use compared with being awake, but it does not shut it down completely.
The number of calories burned overnight varies based on factors like body size, age, and overall metabolism. Research shows that calorie use during sleep is lower than during quiet wakefulness, which helps explain why sleep by itself is not an effective way to lose weight. Instead, sleep supports normal metabolic function and recovery.
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Sleep also plays an important role in appetite control. When sleep is cut short, people often feel hungrier and tend to eat more the next day. This increase in food intake can easily outweigh the small number of calories burned by staying awake longer, which is why poor sleep is linked to weight gain over time.
For prevention and better energy balance, maintaining a regular sleep schedule and avoiding heavy meals late at night can be helpful. Anyone with ongoing sleep problems, unexplained weight changes, or concerns about metabolism should speak with a primary care doctor, who may refer them to an endocrinologist, sleep specialist, or registered dietitian. Self-medicating with sleep aids or weight loss products is not recommended.