Nisha Pandey

Eating Late At Night May Be Linked to Higher Body Fat Even Without Extra Calories: Recent Study

The debate around the effects of late-night eating on metabolism and overall fitness is not new. A new study has found a strong link between night owls’ time of eating and their metabolic health.

The study observes that those who stayed late at night tend to have poor metabolic health and effectively more body fat than those who didn’t, as they tend to have the lion’s share of their calories in the later part of the day. 

The study examines an important area of nutrition called <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/want-healthier-lungs-add-more-kale-and-spinach-to-your-plate-suggests-study-article-154955295" data-type="tilCustomLink">chrononutrition</a>, which basically refers to how the time of eating affects the body’s circadian rhythm. It investigated how chronotype is associated with dietary intake, meal timing, body composition, and metabolic health.

Published in Frontiers in Nutrition, the study observed 287 healthy women aged 18 to 45 from New Zealand. Their food intake was studied for five days along with their meal timings.

Participants were classified as morning, intermediate, or evening <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/anti-inflammatory-eating-building-a-daily-diet-that-reduces-chronic-inflammation-article-154722454" data-type="tilCustomLink">chronotypes</a> using a validated questionnaire. They also recorded everything they ate and drank over five days.

Researchers studied body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), a highly accurate method for measuring body fat, and analyzed metabolic markers including glucose, insulin, cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/india-gets-its-first-plant-based-vitamin-d3-what-you-need-to-know-article-154993923" data-type="tilCustomLink">India Gets Its First Plant-Based Vitamin D3: What You Need to Know</a>

The study found that women with an evening chronotype had higher body mass index (BMI), a higher percentage of body fat, and more abdominal fat compared with morning and intermediate chronotypes.

Interestingly, these differences were observed even though total daily calorie intake did not significantly differ between the groups. 

The study also found that rather than eating more food overall, evening chronotypes tended to delay their meals and consumed a larger proportion of their daily calories later in the day. 

The findings indicate that when people eat may play an important role in <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/not-just-body-fat-your-muscle-health-may-play-a-larger-role-in-type-2-diabetes-risk-study-finds-article-155101901" data-type="tilCustomLink">metabolic health</a> along with what and how much they eat.

The researchers wrote, “Our findings indicate that women with a later chronotype tend to have higher body fat and consume a greater proportion of their energy intake later in the day.”

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/why-sustainable-weight-loss-requires-more-than-cutting-calories-article-154939060" data-type="tilCustomLink">Why Sustainable Weight Loss Requires More Than Cutting Calories</a>

<h2>Why Meal Timings Affect Your Metabolism? </h2>

Although the current study directly does not determine whether late eating directly causes higher body fat, it observes a pattern that chronotype and meal timing are important factors to consider in order to achieve a better fitness level. 

The body's internal clock is responsible for regulating many metabolic processes, including blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity, and digestion, among others. Late night eating not only interferes with insulin sensitivity but also impairs your metabolic health.

Fatty Liver Isn’t Just Alcohol: Dr V Mohan Busts Common Myths

Research has repeatedly shown that these processes function a lot more efficiently earlier in the day. Eating a large proportion of daily calories late in the evening is therefore less favorable for metabolism as it can lead to increased fat accumulation over time.

With time, those with evening chronotype are at a greater risk of obesity and obesity-related chronic lifestyle disorders like hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, and more.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

eating-late-at-night-may-be-linked-to-higher-body-fat-even-without-extra-calories-recent-study

metabolism

metabolic health

night owls

blood sugar

insulin sensitivity

covid-spikes-in-india-experts-allay-fears-stress-vaccination-and-masks

COVID Spikes In India: Experts Allay Fears, Stress Vaccination And Masks

135-million-children-remain-zero-dose-in-2025-despite-global-vaccination-gains-un-report

13.5 Million Children Remain Zero-Dose In 2025 Despite Global Vaccination Gains: UN Report

Health News

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

The debate around the effects of late-night eating on metabolism and overall fitness is not new. A new study has found a strong link between night owls’ time of eating and their metabolic health. The study observes that those who stayed late at night tend to have poor metabolic health and effectively more body fat than those who didn’t, as they tend to have the lion’s share of their calories in the later part of the day. How Was The Study Conducted? The study examines an important area of nutrition called chrononutrition, which basically refers to how the time of eating affects the body’s circadian rhythm. It investigated how chronotype is associated with dietary intake, meal timing, body composition, and metabolic health. Published in Frontiers in Nutrition, the study observed 287 healthy women aged 18 to 45 from New Zealand. Their food intake was studied for five days along with their meal timings. Participants were classified as morning, intermediate, or evening chronotypes using a validated questionnaire. They also recorded everything they ate and drank over five days. Researchers studied body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), a highly accurate method for measuring body fat, and analyzed metabolic markers including glucose, insulin, cholesterol, and triglycerides.Also read: India Gets Its First Plant-Based Vitamin D3: What You Need to Know  What Did The Study Find? The study found that women with an evening chronotype had higher body mass index (BMI), a higher percentage of body fat, and more abdominal fat compared with morning and intermediate chronotypes. Interestingly, these differences were observed even though total daily calorie intake did not significantly differ between the groups. The study also found that rather than eating more food overall, evening chronotypes tended to delay their meals and consumed a larger proportion of their daily calories later in the day. The findings indicate that when people eat may play an important role in metabolic health along with what and how much they eat. The researchers wrote, “Our findings indicate that women with a later chronotype tend to have higher body fat and consume a greater proportion of their energy intake later in the day.”Also read: Why Sustainable Weight Loss Requires More Than Cutting Calories Why Meal Timings Affect Your Metabolism? Although the current study directly does not determine whether late eating directly causes higher body fat, it observes a pattern that chronotype and meal timing are important factors to consider in order to achieve a better fitness level. The body's internal clock is responsible for regulating many metabolic processes, including blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity, and digestion, among others. Late night eating not only interferes with insulin sensitivity but also impairs your metabolic health.         Research has repeatedly shown that these processes function a lot more efficiently earlier in the day. Eating a large proportion of daily calories late in the evening is therefore less favorable for metabolism as it can lead to increased fat accumulation over time.With time, those with evening chronotype are at a greater risk of obesity and obesity-related chronic lifestyle disorders like hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, and more.

eating late at night may be linked to higher body fat even without extra calories: recent study

About Us

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Company

Health and Me is a premium website with content written and curated to function as a handbook for all Health concerns.

Eating Late At Night May Be Linked to Higher Body Fat Even Without Extra Calories: Recent Study

COVID Spikes In India: Experts Allay Fears, Stress Vaccination And Masks

13.5 Million Children Remain Zero-Dose In 2025 Despite Global Vaccination Gains: UN Report

Cyclosporiasis Outbreak: US Probes Taco Bell Link; CDC Reviews Over 5,100 Cases

Health Conditions A-Z

COVID Spikes In India: Experts Allay Fears, Stress Vaccination And Masks

Eating Late At Night May Be Linked to Higher Body Fat Even Without Extra Calories: Recent Study

13.5 Million Children Remain Zero-Dose In 2025 Despite Global Vaccination Gains: UN Report