Health · Medical Research · 2 days ago
Eating with a companion linked to smaller blood sugar spikes
Researchers compared people eating the same carbohydrate meal alone and with a companion.
Those eating with someone had smaller rises in blood sugar and recovered faster.
The study also found that being near another person affected temperature regulation and stress responses.
These results suggest that social company may influence how the body works, but it does not replace medical care, good nutrition or exercise.
A series of preregistered experiments found that participants had smaller blood sugar spikes and recovered more quickly after eating a standardized carbohydrate meal with a companion than after eating the same meal alone.
The research was led by Professor Shir Atzil and doctoral student Monia Masalha of Hebrew University, with Dr. Shai Fuchs of Sheba Medical Center.
The researchers also reported better temperature regulation during cold exposure and reduced stress responses in adults and infants when another person was nearby.
The reported benefits appeared without physical touch and were not explained by reduced stress.
The researchers call the proposed effect “Social Physiology,” the idea that the body regulates itself more efficiently in the presence of social partners.
The researchers said social closeness is not a substitute for medical care, nutrition, or exercise.
- Who
- Researchers led by Shir Atzil and Monia Masalha of Hebrew University, with Shai Fuchs of Sheba Medical Center
- What
- Experiments found that social proximity was associated with more efficient regulation of blood sugar and other bodily functions
- When
- The study was published on 23 September 2026
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- The researchers investigated whether being near another person affects how the body regulates itself
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Blood sugar regulation is not just about what we eat, but who we eat with
Our findings show that human physiology is inherently social.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Journal
- Science Advances
- Publication date
- 23 September 2026
- Lead researchers
- Shir Atzil and Monia Masalha
- Additional researcher
- Shai Fuchs of Sheba Medical Center
- Study DOI
- 10.1126/sciadv.aeg4937
Sources
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