- Eating a lot before bed can make stomach acid or bile irritate the food pipe, causing heartburn. This can make it hard to sleep well and leave you feeling uneasy.
- If you eat a lot late at night and have diabetes or prediabetes, it can affect how your body manages blood sugar. At night, your body’s insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance are lower than during the day. Eating a bunch of carbohydrates or sugar close to bedtime can cause a spike in blood sugar levels and increase your risk of complications.
- Having a big meal late at night can also affect your blood pressure. Studies say that eating a large meal within two hours of going to bed can raise your systolic blood pressure by an average of 4.2 mmHg, which can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Eating a lot before bedtime may lead to weight gain. This is because eating too much can make you consume more calories than you need, and your body may store the extra calories as fat. Eating late at night can also mess with your body’s natural rhythm, which regulates your metabolism and appetite hormones.
It is advisable to eat a light and balanced meal in the evening, preferably at least three hours before going to bed. This can help you avoid the negative effects of eating a heavy meal late at night and improve your health and well-being.