Published By: Puja Sinha

Perils of Late Dinner

What happens when we keep on pushing dinner time to the extremes?

The boons of healthy eating are often overlooked. While chasing after hectic schedules, it is plausible to skip dinner till it is too late into the night. On-time consumption of dinner ensures that you do not suffer from unpredictable mood swings and bouts of depression, indigestion and insomnia.

Increased Potential for Inflammation in the Body:

Your body is vulnerable to a radical spike in C-Reactive protein which is then followed by inflammation. In the long run, body inflammation can consequent in internal scarring, cardiovascular disease, depression, Alzheimer, DNA damage and even cancer.

Abnormal Gain of Body Weight:

Quite a concerning issue especially if you are trying to dial down body fat. The possibility of weight gain with late eating is immensely high since the amount of ingested fat burned is significantly lower with late dinner. Besides weight gain, the pestering troubles of bloating and abdominal pain are equally worrying.

Fluctuation in Blood Sugar Levels:

Blood sugar spike is rather common and happens regardless of how many calories you are consuming. Research has suggested the link between late dinner and nocturnal glucose intolerance and reduced mobilisation of fatty acids which in the long run can trigger obesity. A decrease in glucose intolerance further leads to reduced burning of fat. Unless prevented, the habit can also result in diabetes.

Deterioration in Cognitive Functioning:

Damaged cognitive functioning is a consequential research breakthrough that explains how irregular eating late at night can ultimately lead to dwindling long-term memory prowess. The ability to learn, process emotions and recall information are severely compromised.

Acid Reflux, Bloating and Heartburn:

A heavy dinner without little or no activity essentially damages the bodily systems that process food. Acid reflux aggravates asthma, chest pain and coughing. If you already have recurring instances of acid reflux, eating dinner 2 hours before going to bed is recommended.

Sustained Disruption in Sleep and Jitteriness:

Late night meals take a lot of time to get properly digested which further affects sound sleep. You might end up burping, feeling restless or visiting washroom frequently. Also, the risks of heartburn and indigestion are substantially high when you are consuming the meal right before hitting the bed. Lack of sleep and binge-eating is a malicious cycle that pushes you towards unhealthy food choices.

If you are fond of post-dinner snacks and appetisers such as ice cream or chocolate, it is time to refrain from the habit since it adds to extra calories.