There are several controversies among people as to why they shouldn't eat at night. For example, some claim that they have a specific time they set for themselves to have their dinner and that if it doesn't exceed that time limit, they are good to go. However, dietitians, doctors, and research has revealed the adverse effect of nighttime Snacking.
The body is said to metabolize food when awake. In the event of metabolizing food, the body converts it to the energy that is then used up. When asleep, the body does not do any work. It is like a log of wood at that time, and food will be stored as fat.
Such fats are stored in the stomach and other parts of the body, which may lead to diseases and hormonal balances.
Here are 5 negative effects of nighttime snacking:
1. Poor digestion: If food consumed is not digested well, it can lead to other impairments in the body's organs. Gastric issues from increased acid secretions are most likely a result. Poor digestion can also cause obesity because the body only converts food to fat and not the energy to be used up. This fat is then accumulated in the body, discomforting the body. It is then advisable that you should have a walk if you were hungry and just had to eat past the required time. Having a walk will make the food digest on time as the body would use up calories during the walk.
2. Affect mental health: Eating late at night can lead to anxiety, moodiness, and weakness because the body would not be able to get enough rest. Sleep is impaired when the body cannot use up energy in the food. Sleeping disorders may also result and adversely result in depression.
3. Increased Blood pressure: Hypertension and diabetes may result from nighttime snacking. An increase in blood pressure isn't an easy thing to deal with. Therefore, you must completely avoid eating late at night. Eat at earlier hours before night so that fats are absorbed by the liver, muscle, and tissues rather than stored in the body.
4. Weight gain: From medical research, the body utilizes food at different times of the day. This has been traced to body temperature fluctuations, biochemistry of the body, and body activity. At night, the body doesn't do much work and does not need as much energy as in the daytime. Hormonal imbalances may result from eating late at night. And these may lead to over secretion of some growth hormones leading to weight gain.
5. Disrupt sleep: It has been discovered that people who eat late sleep late. You may be wondering what time is the best time to eat. It is best to eat dinner 3 hours before bedtime. If you usually sleep by 9 pm, you must have eaten by 6 pm. Nevertheless, there are exceptions, most especially when you come home late and your body is about to grab some rest. Fiber-rich food will keep you satisfied for the night without causing any impairment or sleep disorder.
Indeed, one may not be able to avoid this completely. But think of all your exercises and all that protein-rich, carbohydrate-low meal thing you've done in the past to be fit bodily. If you don't want them squashing before your eyes over a meal, you must avoid nighttime snacking. To prevent fat build-up, you can consume fruits and vegetables such as bananas, broccoli, cauliflower, cherries, eggs, and fiber-rich food.