Really to be avoided.
A stable blood sugar level contributes to good health. When it increases and causes “blood sugar spikes”, it means that too much glucose (sugar) is circulating in the blood. The more frequent these peaks are, the greater the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, digestive disorders and excess weight. The choice of foods is important to limit the rise in blood sugar levels but also the time at which you eat your meals. Australian researchers believe they have determined a particular time when one should not eat because there would be a “critical effect on glucose metabolism”.
To achieve their results, these scientists selected 55 adults with a normal BMI and then divided them into 3 groups: those who fasted at night, those who ate snacks at night and those who ate a full meal at night. All stayed awake for 4 nights and slept between 7 and 8 hours during the day, with a recovery day on day 5 to reestablish normal sleep and eating cycles. A blood sugar test was performed on the 6th day.
“We found that blood sugar levels skyrocketed in those who ate full meals at night and those who snacked, while people who fasted at night showed increased insulin secretion, which kept the body in balance. blood sugar level” commented Professor Leonie Heilbronn in the journal Diabetologia. Eating at night is therefore very bad for blood sugar levels. Additionally, staying awake at night led to circadian misalignment and altered glucose metabolism. “When you eat a meal your body secretes insulin, you can no longer absorb glucose as efficiently into your muscles and if this continues it potentially puts you at risk of diabetes” explained Professor Heilbronn.
People working night shifts would be the first victims of this phenomenon, especially when we know that 20% of the active population is forced to work outside the normal working day. “We know that shift workers are more likely to suffer from diabetes, heart disease and be overweight. Our research suggests that meal times could be a major factor in these problems.” The team advises eating during the day and avoiding meals after dark, including for people working during these hours.
