Research shows that more than 45% of calories consumed after 5 pm alter glucose levels, which has serious health consequences.
A team of researchers from the Open University of Catalonia and Columbia University concluded that consuming more than 45% of daily calories after 5 pm is associated with increased glucose levels and detrimental health effects, regardless of a person’s weight and body fat.
The study involved 26 people aged 50 to 70 years who were overweight or obese and had prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. To assess their glucose tolerance, participants were divided into two groups. The first group, “early eaters,” ate the bulk of their daily calories during the day, while the second group, “late eaters,” consumed at least 45% of their calories after 5 p.m. Both groups received the same amount of calories and ate the same food. All participants recorded their food intake in real time using a mobile application.
The study results showed that late eaters had lower glucose tolerance, regardless of body weight and the composition of their diet. Scientists explained this by saying that the body’s ability to metabolize glucose at night is limited because insulin secretion is reduced and the sensitivity of our cells to this hormone is reduced due to the circadian rhythm, which is determined by the central clock in our brain.