When should you have your dinner? New research has the answer

With so many fad diets being promulgated as the fix-all for wealth loss and healthy living, the time you eat could actually be the determinant of your health. New research suggests that eating your last meal earlier in the day is best for your health.

The earlier, the better

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital set out to understand the correlation between later mealtimes and obesity. They assessed changes in feelings of fullness and hunger among participants as well as how the body stores fat and burns calories.

Results of the data collected showed that those ate meals four hours later in the day tended to be more hungry. They were also unable to burn calories fast enough, while experiencing changes in their bodies that promoted fat growth. Nina Vujovic, first author wrote:

In this study, we asked, 'Does the time that we eat matter when everything else is kept consistent? And we found that eating four hours later makes a significant difference for our hunger levels, the way we burn calories after we eat, and the way we store fat.

Late eating and obesity

The research published in Cell Metabolism, recruited110 college-age participants enrolled in a 30-day observational study to document sleep times and daily meal intake. A mobile phone app was used to time-stamp, document and record the participants’ food intake over seven consecutive days of their regular routines.

The study’s findings were based on analysis of blood and body fat tissue samples and levels of body temperature, as well as energy expenditure collected from participants. Senior author Frank Scheer wrote:

We wanted to test the mechanisms that may explain why late eating increases obesity risk. This study shows the impact of late versus early eating

Although the study is quite small, it was specifically designed to assess the effects of eating schedules on the body. The researchers are hopeful others will build on their work.

Sources used:

Salon.com: Are late dinners making us sick? New research says yes

Fortune.com: When you eat matters: Late-night eating makes you hungry and burns fewer calories, new study shows

Medical Express: Dinner at 5 p.m.? New research suggests eating early and within a 10-hour window is healthier

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