Eating late could be related to diabetes
By
Gretel Morales - 2022-10-25T16:43:12Z
Have you ever heard of the circadian rhythm? It is described as a mechanism that “regulates changes in physical and mental characteristics that occur over the course of a day.” According to this concept, our body has an ideal schedule for each activity, meaning we have an internal clock that governs all biological processes, so there are specific times for eating, sleeping, exercising, and more. All of this relates to the perfect time to eat, as according to a recent study, eating late can lead to diabetes and obesity. We explain everything you need to know about this study! You can also read: How do dairy products protect us against diabetes? Eating late could be related to diabetes Northwestern University, located in Illinois, announced that they have discovered why the habit of eating very late has been linked to weight gain and diabetes. In a press release, the university states that, although it has previously been noted that there is a relationship between meal timing, sleep, and obesity, as overeating can “disrupt the circadian rhythm and modify fatty tissue,” experts have not yet deciphered this puzzle. However, research conducted by the American university has yielded surprising results. According to the institution, energy release could be the molecular mechanism through which our internal clock controls energy balance. Additionally, scientists found that “daytime is the ideal schedule in the light of the Earth's rotation environment, when it is optimal for dissipating energy as heat.” Academic Joseph T. Bass notes that “it is well known but poorly understood that insulting the biological clock will insult the metabolism.” The doctor adds that when animals consume an accidental-style diet, which includes fats and carbohydrates, the biological clock breaks down. According to Bass, the clock is “sensitive to the time people eat, especially regarding fatty tissue, and that sensitivity loses balance with high-fat diets. We still do not understand why this happens, but what we do know is that animals become obese, start eating more when they should be asleep. This research shows why that matters.” You can also read: Can diabetics eat fruit? What did the study discover? The information published by the university explains that when mice, which are nocturnal animals, were fed high-fat diets for a week, those fed during the day gained more weight than those fed in the dark. For her part, academic Chelsea Hepler indicated that they thought there might be an energy balancing component, in which the mice expend more energy when eating at specific times. She emphasized that “that’s why they can eat the same amount of food at different times of the day and be healthier when eating during active periods, compared to when they should be asleep.” Noticing the increase in energy expenditure, the team of experts decided to investigate adipose tissue to see if the same occurred in endocrine function. They discovered that it did, and that mice with genetically enhanced thermogenesis could avoid weight gain and their health improved. What is the importance of this study? According to the study's authors, the information obtained could change chronic care, that is, for patients who are fed through tubes, who often receive food at night, when they are sleeping and expending a minimal amount of energy. Therefore, it is not surprising that they have high rates of obesity and diabetes. As if that weren't enough, this discovery is also expected to help improve the quality of life and health of patients with type 2 diabetes. While studies and research continue and scientists determine the perfect schedule for eating, it is worth remembering that, according to the circadian rhythm, we should eat between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. This means that, ideally, the fast would last 14 hours. You can also read: Sweeteners and diabetes: What is your best option?