Did you know that the secret of beauty is in the dream?

That beauty is in the dream is something that Sleeping Beauty seemed to be very clear about. And although we all know that sleeping well is a matter of health, in recent years it has been discovered that it is also a powerful elixir of youth. Discover how sleep helps you look even more beautiful.

We do not know what is the main cause of aging in our cells, but we do know some factors that damage them. The accumulation of damage in cells is essential in the aging process. One of the most significant damages is the loss of telomeres.

Telomeres are the protective caps at the end of chromosomes, and they are directly related to aging. Over the years the size of our telomeres shortens until they almost do not exist.

A study carried out by scientist Marta Jackowska, at the University College Hospital (UCH) in London, showed that there is a relationship between life expectancy and the number of hours we sleep per day.

The study found that those who slept more than seven hours a day had telomeres up to nine percent longer, regardless of factors such as age. Researchers believe that individuals who sleep little increase their amount of cortisol. This causes damage to DNA and the enzyme telomerase, which is responsible for repairing the length of telomeres.

Poor sleep is also linked to weight gain. Scientists have shown that hormones vary from lack of sleep. Cortisol levels tend to fall when we have rested but do not do so if we sleep insufficiently and this predisposes us to weight gain. Cortisol is a hormone involved in many functions, including metabolic.