Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Eating late in the evening could make it harder for the body to control blood sugar levels, according to a new twin study from the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE).
“Our bodies process food differently depending on the time of day, with metabolism generally more active in the morning,” researchers explained. The study, published in eBioMedicine, highlights how eating out of sync with our internal clocks—especially late at night—can disrupt glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
The Twin Study Insight
Researchers analyzed data from 92 identical and fraternal twins, assessing their chronotypes, meal times, and glucose tolerance.
“People who had their final meal later in the day and closer to bedtime also had less effective glucose metabolism at the end of the day,” the researchers found.
This suggests that aligning food intake with natural circadian rhythms may help maintain healthier blood sugar levels.
Expert Perspective
Registered dietitian Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD, who was not involved in the research, told Medical News Today, “In general, I’m skeptical about adjusting the timing of one’s eating in the hopes of controlling weight or blood sugar unless you are diabetic.”
She added, “Blood sugar variations are a natural part of digestion and metabolism, and I would urge the public to refrain from stressing about the effects food may have on their blood sugar unless they have metabolic ailments like type 2 diabetes.”
Smart Eating Choices
Despite her caution on meal timing, Moody emphasized healthy food choices, saying, “Foods with added sugars and refined grains raise blood sugar quickly and then cause a crash. Whole grains, high-fiber fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins can help mitigate this effect.”
The study adds to growing evidence that when we eat may matter almost as much as what we eat—especially for long-term metabolic health.
