The Best Time To Stop Eating Before Heading To Bed
The Takeout • • health
Key Points:
- A recent American Heart Association study found that extended overnight fasting of 13 to 16 hours leads to improved heart health markers, including lower nighttime blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels, compared to shorter fasting periods of 11 to 13 hours.
- Avoiding food intake for at least three hours before bedtime supports the body's natural melatonin rise, which slows heart rate and lowers blood pressure and insulin levels, promoting better sleep and metabolic health.
- Eating during the melatonin increase disrupts the body's wind-down process, potentially contributing to weight gain, high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and poor sleep quality over time.
- Aligning meal times with the circadian rhythm by eating the largest meal at lunch (12
