2 weeks ago

Doctor Explains Health Risks of Eating Dinner After 9 PM

Doctor Explains Health Risks of Eating Dinner After 9 PM
Is dinner after 9 pm unhealthy? Doctor explains what time you should eat · firstpost.com

A doctor named Dr Narayanan says when you eat dinner matters, not just what you eat.

Our bodies follow an internal clock that tells us when to be active and when to rest.

Eating very late at night, like after 9 pm, can confuse this clock.

It can make it harder to fall asleep and get good rest.

It can also cause tummy troubles like heartburn and bloating.

Eating late often might make your body less good at handling sugar, which can lead to weight gain over time.

That is why doctors suggest having dinner a few hours before bedtime.

A good time for dinner is between 6 pm and 8 pm.

If you eat dinner late sometimes, it is not a big problem, but doing it every day can hurt your health.

Eating earlier and keeping dinner light helps your body feel better and sleep well.

Key facts

Main expert
Dr N K Narayanan, Consultant in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Hospital
Apollo Hospital, Chennai
Recommended dinner time
Between 6 pm and 8 pm
Time before bed
At least 2-3 hours before bedtime
Reported health risks
Acid reflux/GERD, poor sleep, weight gain, blood sugar fluctuations, insulin resistance, cardiovascular risk factors, indigestion, daytime fatigue
Key principle
Align meal timing with the body's circadian rhythm; avoid heavy meals close to bedtime
Traditional context
Jain tradition of not eating after sunset; 'Langhanam paramam aushadham' (fasting as medicine)
Occasional late dinner
Unlikely to cause harm, according to experts

Quotes

Dr N K Narayanan

Consultant in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Apollo Hospital, Chennai

“"Late eating may not be ideal for blood sugar regulation, especially in individuals already at risk of diabetes."”
firstpost.com
“"Eating a heavy meal close to bedtime and lying down soon after can worsen acid reflux and heartburn."”
firstpost.com

Sources

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