Dining late can have some health drawbacks. Eating too close to bedtime, for example, can affect metabolism throughout the night and impair sleep. In addition, eating foods high in fat, sugars and salt can lead to weight gain and other health complications.
Weight gain
You’ve probably heard that “eating late makes you fat”, right? Nutritionist Dr. Ronan Araujo explains that this is true. The later and closer to bedtime you eat, the greater the chances of gain weight and retain fat, regardless of how you eat during the day.
Why does weight gain happen?
Weight gain is not exclusively related to the amount and type of food that is consumed. Don’t just think about what you eat to maintain a healthy weight. When you eat—the time of day—is also important, according to a Harvard University study published in the journal Cell Metabolism.
“When you eat too close to bedtime, your sleep and your body’s work to repair hormones, enzymes and what would help with all that production, ends up focusing on the digestion of that food”, explains the nutrologist.
Disadvantages of eating late
According to the doctor, this type of habit harms the organism in several ways. “Instead of sleeping and resting, your body is focused on processing the food you eat, which will cause problems with weight gain and even chronic illnesses such as diabetes. In addition, digestion makes breathing difficult and can cause abdominal discomfort”, clarifies Dr. Ronan Araujo.
In addition, it is already scientifically proven that late eating causes a decrease in energy expenditure, increased hunger and causes changes in the adipose tissue (fat) which, combined, may increase the risk of obesity.
What is the best time to have dinner?
According with the doctor. Ronan Araujo, it is recommended to try eat as early as possible, at least three to four hours before bedtime. “This will help a lot, including in your weight loss process. It will also allow the body to better digest food and prevent it from being stored as fat. In addition, this can also help to reduce food cravings at night”, says the nutrologist, who adds: “Occasionally, late eating will not hurt you; however, try not to make it a habit.”
By Gabriela Dallo
Source: Maxima
I am an experienced author and journalist with a passion for lifestyle journalism. I currently work for Buna Times, one of the leading news websites in the world. I specialize in writing stories about health, wellness, fashion, beauty, interior design, and more. My articles have been featured on major publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.