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Tess Daly’s tip for a ‘restful sleep’ dismissed as ‘frankly bonkers’ by expert, who warnst that it could be dangerous
The expert revealed that there is "no good research" behind the trend
TESS Daly’s top tip for a ‘restful sleep’ has been dismissed as ‘frankly bonkers’ by an expert, who also warns that trying it could be dangerous.
Previously, the Strictly Come Dancing presenter revealed that she tapes her mouth shut before going to sleep, claiming it gives her a ‘more restful sleep’.
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The 55-year-old shared pictures of herself on social media showing mouth tape holding her lips together.
This trend has also gained popularity among beauty enthusiasts, with the hashtag #mouthtape amassing over 51.5k posts.
The TikTok trend has even been endorsed by Gwyneth Paltrow.
According to the , breathing through the nose has several benefits.
READ MORE ON SLEEPING HACKS
They explain that the nose helps to filter out dust and pollen, while also preventing the airways from becoming irritated.
Mouth taping involves placing a small strip of skin-safe tape across the midline of your closed lips before bed.
This essentially forces sleepers to breathe through your nose while sleeping by preventing your mouth from opening during the night.
The goal is to encourage nasal breathing and potentially reduce snoring, dry mouth, and other issues associated with mouth breathing.
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‘Professional’ mouth tape can be purchased from Amazon for £9.99 for a pack of 30 strips.
However, speaking to , sleep expert James Wilson warned against the trend.
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He explained that many of the claims “made about mouth tape are frankly bonkers.”
James went on to explain that there is “no good research” to show that mouth does as much as what “companies selling these products say.”
He even warned that it can “even be dangerous for some people.”
Manchester City star Erling Haaland, 24, also previously revealed to podcast host Logan Paul that he thinks “sleep is the most important thing in the world”.
To achieve the best quality sleep, the striker revealed that he tapes his mouth shut at night to encourage nasal breathing.
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Alex Neist, founder of Hostage Tape - a brand specialising in mouth tape - explained the theory behind the practice.
Speaking to Sun Health, he said: “Better recovery is the biggest reason.
"Sleep is the most powerful way Erling can be the best athlete every day.
"Mouth-breathing is a terrible way to breathe during sleep.”
However, Kerry Davies, also known as has urged caution.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The sleep specialist, who has over 13 years of experience, told Sun Health: “Mouth taping, a method said to prevent snoring, is garnering attention.
“But as a sleep specialist for 13 years, I urge caution.”
How bad sleep affects weight
Previously in The Sun, experts explained how sleep is closely linked with weight.
Disrupts hunger hormones
Ghrelin is a hormone released after the brain signals the stomach is empty, while leptin is released from fat cells to suppress hunger - and tell the brain it's full.
Studies have shown that when you don't get enough shut-eye, the body makes more ghrelin and less leptin - leaving you more hungry.
One study of 12 men led by University of Chicago showed two days of sleep deprivation drove leptin levels in the blood down by 18 per cent, while increasing ghrelin by 28 per cent.
The men reported a 24 per cent increase in their hunger and appetite compared to when they were given two restful nights.
More time to eat
The less you are asleep, the more you are awake. This gives more of an opportunity to eat.
In the modern day world, people are awake for up to 17 hours at a time - 7am till 12pm. It leaves a huge window for being awake and eating.
If you're struggling with both your weight and sleep, try finishing your meals three to four hours before bed time. That might mean limiting your eating window from 9am until 6pm.
Reach for takeaways
If you have a weird sleeping pattern, chances are your eating schedule is also off-whack.
Struggling to sleep can see us turn to convenience - takeaways, ready meals, oven foods and more, whi;e being energised gives us more motivation to cook healthily.
Eat more calories than normal
Studies suggest that the less sleep you get, the more calorie-dense food you choose to eat.
One study in Chicago found that men ate more food at a buffet after four consecutive night’s of rough sleep compared with when they were rested.
They consumed around 340 calories more, mostly because they ate more snacks and carbohydrate-rich food.
Researchers from King’s College London also found that adults consumed an additional 385 calories – the equivalent of one and a half Mars Bars – on days after they were deprived of kip by combining the results of 11 previous studies.
More desire for food
Foods, especially those high in calories, are more appetising when we are sleep deprived because we subconsciously know they will boost our energy.
A German study showed the lengths sleepy people would go to for calorific snacks using 32 healthy men.
After a normal dinner and either a restful or restless night’s sleep, the men were given three Euros to spend on snacks and told to bid the maximum amount they were willing to spend on each item.
When sleep deprived. participants were willing to pay extra for the junk food items - which they were allowed to eat afterwards - suggesting a stronger desire.
Fat storage more likely
Scientists have warned that not getting enough sleep changes how the body deals with food, which could then lead to weight gain.
One study showed that men who ate a large bowl of chilli mac and cheese after four nights of bad sleep reacted differently to the food than those who were well-rested.
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University said blood tests showed lipids (fats) from foods were cleared faster, suggesting they were being stored almost instantly.
The process did not spring back to its normal rate even after the men were given a long night’s sleep.
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