In today’s world, flashy apps, social media platforms and bingeable shows are constantly vying for our attention. And they often succeed. But there’s a tradeoff — quality sleep.

A night of tossing and turning can lead to a day of grogginess and irritability. Even our cave-dwelling ancestors, far removed from viral digital trends, were likely aware of this cause-and-effect pattern.

Thousands of years later, humans are still learning how lack of sleep impacts the body, and a recent study from Kuwait has identified an important piece of that puzzle. Researchers discovered that just one night of poor sleep can trigger the same inflammation response in the body as obesity.

The study, which focused on sleep, body weight and inflammation, revealed a direct link to how poor sleep impacts immune cells, called nonclassical monocytes, that are known to amplify inflammation.

Study participants who experienced bad sleep, whether they were obese or at typical weight, had an elevated number of nonclassical monocytes, resulting in an inflammatory immune response.

Chronic inflammation can lead to conditions such as autoimmune diseases, heart disease, mental health conditions and gastrointestinal disease, among others.

The study demonstrates the important role sleep quality — not just quantity — plays in maintaining a healthy immune system and overall health.

As our attention is increasingly pulled in different directions, studies like this can serve as a healthy reminder to give our bodies and minds proper time to recharge. By way of reminder, that’s 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep you’re shooting for.