People suffering from sleep deprivation are more likely to cheat on their partners

• Scientists have discovered that the part of the brain that rules self-control is affected by a lack of sleep
• The pre-frontal cortex region of the brain affects self-control, and is powered by glucose
• A lack of shut-eye exhausts glucose in the pre-frontal cortex, whereas sleep restores it

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There are many benefits to getting a good night's sleep - more energy and a better mood being among them.

But a new reason for getting a full 40 winks has been discovered - it could stop you cheating on your partner.

Scientists have discovered that the part of the brain that rules self-control is affected by a lack of sleep - and can lead to very bad decisions.

A lack of shut-eye exhausts glucose in the prefrontal cortex - and can lead to a lack of self-control

As self-control heavily determines whether someone can resist temptation, an interrupted sleep can mean people are more likely to indulge themselves - even if it means cheating on their partner.

The pre-frontal cortex region of the brain affects self-control, and is powered by glucose.

 

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When people use self-control, they use up the glucose and when it becomes depleted people are more likely to misbehave.

A lack of shut-eye exhausts glucose in the prefrontal cortex, whereas sleep restores it.

A lack of glucose leads to a direct impact on self-control, and means people can succumb to temptation - including other lovers, author Christopher Barnes wrote in the Harvard Business Review.

Perhaps worryingly, only a short amount of robbed sleep can deprive someone of their crucial self control.

In one study, there was a difference of only about 22 minutes of sleep between those who cheated and those who did not

Mr Barnes and his colleagues found that a difference of just 22 minutes of sleep between those who cheated and those who did not.

However, a lack of sleep has previously been blamed for lowering libidos - which could mean that even though tired people want to cheat, they might not feel like it.

Sleep researchers say that the sleep-deprived suffer from lower libidos and less interest in sex.

They cite drained energy, fatigue, and stress as contributing factors, Web MD reported.

The benefits of a good rest are myriad, it would seem.

Not getting enough sleep doesn’t just make you allegedly make you more likely to cheat, it also makes you fat, according to scientists.

In a study, participants who slept for five hours each night gained two pounds in weight over a week because they snacked more.

They consumed more calories in the form of after-dinner snacks than in any other meal.

But when they shifted to adequate sleep patterns they reduced their consumption of fat and carbohydrate and shed the pounds.