Indulging in a late-night snack once in a while is actually harmless, but making a habit of eating late every day isn’t a good idea at all.
Meal timing, or the time you eat, plays an important role in health as our body’s internal clocks are strongly influenced by the alternation of day and night, which in turn affects enzymatic and hormonal secretions that regulate many processes, including digestion and metabolism.
To stay fit and healthy, it’s not just about what you eat, but also when you eat.
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Why Having a Late Dinner isn’t a Good Idea
Disturbs Sleep
Having a late dinner in the evening and going to bed shortly afterward can promote poor digestion, which in turn can contribute to difficulties falling asleep and nighttime awakenings, triggering a vicious cycle that harms overall well-being.
Sleep deprivation and sleep disorders such as classic insomnia, in numerous studies, are associated with a higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, dementia, premature aging, and many other disorders over time.
Confirmation also comes from a recent study published in Jama, which highlighted that poor sleep increases the risk of type 2 diabetes independently of eating habits.
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Late Dinners Lead to Weight Gain
The bad habit of eating late in the evening, especially a lot, promotes fat accumulation. The body tends to store energy it can’t burn, which over time leads to overweight.
Moreover, those who eat very late at night tend to eat more during the day and prefer less healthy foods, which fuel inflammation—a condition that contributes to extra pounds.
Increases Health Risks
Eating very late at night also increases the likelihood of suffering from various health problems beyond simple heartburn and reflux.
The habit of having dinner late at night increases the risks of metabolic diseases.
In addition to reducing energy expenditure and altering the production of certain hormones involved in hunger regulation, including leptin, it also increases the risk of high blood pressure and dealing with major chronic diseases, including cardiovascular ones.
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This article first appeared on Grazia.it – Author: Angela Altomare
