Late Dinner Disrupts Metabolism and Sleep: Randomized Crossover Study
How Does Eating Dinner Late Affect Your Metabolism and Sleep?
Eating dinner late significantly impairs glucose metabolism and sleep quality, with this randomized crossover study showing that late meals (within 4 hours of bedtime) increase blood glucose levels, delay sleep onset, and reduce sleep efficiency compared to earlier dinner timing. The research demonstrates that late eating disrupts circadian metabolic rhythms, leading to higher peak glucose levels, delayed glucose clearance, and poorer sleep architecture. These effects occur even when the meal composition and total daily caloric intake remain identical, highlighting the critical importance of meal timing for both metabolic health and sleep quality.