From msn.com/en-gb
Sometimes the most innocuous habits are also the most damaging. Among them, a practice that many people adopt without realizing it is deeply damaging to their metabolic balance: eating too late at night. This behaviour, repeated over the course of several days, could very well slow down your body in a silent but lasting way.
A late dinner: the discreet enemy of metabolism
According to several chronobiology studies, our body is governed by an internal clock that regulates digestion and energy expenditure, among other things. Eating a large meal or snacking before bed disrupts these rhythms. Not only does digestion slow down, but metabolism slows down, favouring fat storage rather than its utilization.
Scientists at Harvard University have shown that eating late alters insulin secretion and delays fat burning during sleep. As a result, the body enters "economy mode," reducing energy expenditure at rest.
The importance of regularity
In addition to timing, irregular mealtimes are also problematic. Eating meals at varying times each day disrupts hormonal signals related to hunger, satiety, and energy expenditure. The body no longer knows when to expect nourishment, which can lead to increased fat storage as soon as a meal is eaten.
The Skipped Meals Trap
Some people, thinking they're doing the right thing, skip breakfast or drastically reduce their daily intake. However, according to research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , skipping meals slows down basal metabolism. In the absence of nutrients, the body automatically reduces its expenditure to conserve its reserves, which often defeats the purpose of burning more calories.
The central role of sleep and stress
Finally, lack of sleep and chronic stress are two major factors that indirectly sabotage metabolism. Lack of sleep impairs the production of leptin and ghrelin, the hormones that regulate appetite, while stress elevates cortisol levels, promoting fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area. Both disrupt metabolism and make weight regulation more difficult.
What can you do to preserve your metabolism?
The first step is to eat dinner earlier, ideally at least two to three hours before bed. After that, it's recommended to maintain regular meal times and not skip meals, especially in the morning. Finally, adopting a stable sleep pattern and practicing relaxation techniques regularly helps rebalance the hormonal system.
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