Why Eating Dinner Before Sunset is Good for You: 5 Scientific Reasons
Published: 05:55AM 12 September 2023
Dinner, often considered the last meal of the day, holds a special place in our daily routines. It's a time for family gatherings, relaxation, and nourishment. However, have you ever wondered whether the timing of your dinner could impact your health? In this blog, we'll delve into the scientific reasons behind why eating dinner before sunset is beneficial for your well-being.
One of the key reasons to eat dinner before sunset is to promote better digestion. Our digestive system follows a natural rhythm, influenced by our body's internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm. Eating in sync with this rhythm can have numerous benefits.
The digestive system becomes less efficient as the day progresses. Eating too close to bedtime can lead to indigestion and disrupted sleep. When you eat before sunset, your body has ample time to process the food before you go to bed. This promotes smoother digestion and better nutrient absorption.
2. Weight Management
Maintaining a healthy weight is a goal for many, and the timing of your dinner can play a significant role in achieving this objective.
When you eat late at night, your body may not have sufficient time to burn off the calories consumed. This can lead to weight gain over time. Additionally, late-night eating can disrupt your body's natural fasting period during sleep, affecting metabolism and increasing the likelihood of weight gain.
3. Blood Sugar Control
Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is crucial for overall health, and the timing of your dinner can influence these levels significantly.
Eating dinner before sunset allows your body to process carbohydrates and sugars more effectively. This is because insulin sensitivity tends to be higher earlier in the day, and it gradually decreases as evening approaches. Late-night meals can lead to elevated blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes.
4. Improved Sleep Quality
Getting a good night's sleep is essential for overall well-being, and your dinner habits can influence the quality of your sleep.
Eating a heavy meal late at night can disrupt your sleep patterns. It can lead to discomfort, indigestion, and even nightmares. When you eat dinner before sunset, your body has more time to digest the food, reducing the risk of sleep disturbances.
5. Enhanced Mood and Mental Health
Your dinner choices can impact not only your physical health but also your mental well-being.
Late-night eating has been associated with mood swings, irritability, and increased stress levels. This is partly due to the disruption of your body's natural rhythms. Eating dinner before sunset can help stabilize mood and reduce the risk of emotional disturbances.
The timing of your dinner matters more than you might think. Eating dinner before sunset aligns with your body's natural circadian rhythm, promoting better digestion, weight management, blood sugar control, sleep quality, and mental health. Each of these benefits is supported by scientific research and logical reasoning.
By adopting the habit of dining earlier in the evening, you can enhance your overall health and well-being. So, the next time you sit down for dinner, consider the setting sun as a reminder to nourish your body and mind in harmony with nature.
Jayti Shah is a Clinical Nutritionist with a master's degree in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics. She is a member of the Indian Dietetic Association (IDA). Over the last 9 years, she has helped 400 clients in their clinical and weight loss journeys. She works with SocialBoat as a nutrition consultant.
At SocialBoat, we offer custom diet plans and guided workouts to help you achieve your goals in a 360-degree approach. Our gamified experience ensures that you don’t find workouts boring and we reward you for being consistent with your efforts.
1.Smith, T. L., & Peery, A. F. (2014). Avoidance of bedtime eating is associated with lower overall and central obesity. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 100(2), 107-117.
2. Jakubowicz, D., Barnea, M., Wainstein, J., & Froy, O. (2013). High caloric intake at breakfast vs. dinner differentially influences weight loss of overweight and obese women. Obesity, 21(12), 2504-2512.
3. Jakubowicz, D., Wainstein, J., Ahren, B., Landau, Z., Bar-Dayan, Y., & Froy, O. (2015). High-energy breakfast with low-energy dinner decreases overall daily hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomised clinical trial. Diabetic Medicine, 32(5), 601-607.
4. St-Onge, M. P., Roberts, A. L., Chen, J., Kelleman, M., O'Keeffe, M., RoyChoudhury, A., & Jones, P. J. (2016). Short sleep duration increases energy intakes but does not change energy expenditure in normal-weight individuals. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 103(3), 827-834.
5. Masheb, R. M., White, M. A., & Grilo, C. M. (2013). Mood and eating in binge eating disorder. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 54(7), 769-776.