Late-Night Snacking May Harm Gut Health
NEW YORK, NY-Eating late at night may worsen digestive problems, especially in people under chronic stress, according to a new report released on April 23.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 11,000 participants in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to examine links between chronic stress, late-night eating, and bowel dysfunction.
The study found that individuals with a high allostatic load score — a measure of cumulative physiological stress reflected in body mass index (BMI), cholesterol levels, and blood pressure — who consumed more than 25 per cent of their daily calories after 9 p.m. were 1.7 times more likely to experience constipation and diarrhea than those with lower stress scores who did not eat late at night.
“It’s not just what you eat, but when you eat it,” said Harika Dadigiri, resident physician at New York Medical College at Saint Mary’s and Saint Clare’s Hospital, and the study’s lead author. “And when we’re already under stress, that timing may deliver a ‘double hit’ to gut health,” she added.
Researchers also analyzed data from more than 4,000 participants in the American Gut Project and found that people with both high stress levels and late-night eating habits were 2.5 times more likely to report bowel problems.
These participants also had significantly lower gut microbiome diversity, suggesting that meal timing may amplify the effects of stress on the microbiome through the gut-brain axis, the two-way communication system involving nerves, hormones, and gut bacteria.
The researchers said the findings show associations rather than direct cause and effect, and further studies are needed to better understand how stress, eating patterns, and gut health are connected.
Dr. Dadigiri said maintaining consistent routines may help improve digestive health. “Small, consistent habits, like maintaining a structured meal routine, may help promote more regular eating patterns and support digestive function over time,” she said. (IANS)
