Is Midnight Snacking Making You Obese? Know the reasons

A research on weight gain has come up with an interesting finding. A new study, authored by an Indian-origin scientist, suggests that it is not just a high-fat diet, but an extended eating time too that can contribute to your weight gain. This mainly point out the side effects and consequences of consuming midnight snacks.

Confining eating to 8-12 hour period is no longer familiar to the new generation. But, in the good old days, when people sticked to perfect healthy eating habits, problems related to obesity was less common. Midnight snacking will put you under the risk of high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity.

The authors demonstrated that predictable times of eating better synchronises the function of hundreds of genes in our body.

According to the study, about 400 mice were subjected to various types of diets and time restrictions. The findings revealed that mice which were subjected to time restrictions of 9 to 12 hours gained less weight than the unrestricted ones. The findings were irrespective of the fact whether their diet were high in fat, fat and sucrose or just fructose.

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Hence, if we go by the findings, we have to practise time-restricted eating habits to maintain a healthy life. Taking this into consideration, here are some of the reasons why midnight snacking, which falls beyond the time restrictions of 9 to 12 hours, is not good for your health.

Slow digestion
During night, the digestion process is slow. Midnight snacks will affect the normal digestion process. As you are not having any physical exertion during the night, the chances of fat deposition is more. This is one of the reasons how midnight snack increases obesity.

Abnormal Circadian rhythm
Most of the hormones in our body work in a rhythm known as circadian rhythm. When there is an imbalance in the rhythm, this will affect the proper hormone production. It will then affect the overall metabolic process of the body. Staying awake in the midnight and having snacks is one of the obesity reasons that can put you at risk for lifestyle diseases.

Unhealthy food
Most of the commercially available snacks contain flavours, additives and preservative for increasing the taste and longevity. This is high in calories as well. Regular intake of these unhealthy snacks increases obesity.

Insulin resistance
Insulin action follows a circadian rhythm. It rises and falls according to a 24-hour rhythm. Those who fail in keeping a perfect circadian rhythm will gradually develop an abnormality in the glucose regulation due to insulin resistance. This will increase the risk of obesity as well.

Eating habit
The extent of harmful effects of midnight snacks also depends on your eating habits. The reason why you want to stay awake in the night is also important. If it is for entertaining activities such as watching television or chatting with friends, chances are more that you will have no control over snacks. Also, your tendency to eat fast will also contribute to make you obese.

Night cravings
There are many people who experience night cravings. One of the most important points here is to find out the reason why you crave for food in the night. Identify the reason that keeps you awake in the midnight and crave for food.

Research Source: IANS