Your body is a delicate machine that requires care and maintenance. It is designed to work in special rhythms that are easy to ignore. When we ignore the natural rhythms of sleep and wakefulness, we may be harming our bodies. Scientists continue to discover different ways that our sleep cycles and eating habits can impact our health and brain function. It turns out that raiding the fridge at midnight might hurt your memory.
The Study
Huffington Post interviewed researchers that recently conducted a study on mice. The study fed two groups of mice the same amount of calories and ensured they received the same amount of time for rest. One group was fed during normal waking hours. The other group was fed during hours they should have been sleeping. The second group was not able to maintain specific associations that the first group was. The outcome of the study suggested that the memories of the mice were impacted because of the time of day in which they were consuming food.
Risks for Late Night Munching
While humans are not mice, the studies suggest that eating calories at the wrong time may inhibit us from cementing memories in our brains. Late night snacking can also cause weight gain and put you at higher risk for Type 2 Diabetes. There are simply no health benefits for eating late at night.
When You Have to Eat Late at Night
Sometimes life requires that you eat late. A late concert, an emergency, or study session the extends into the night can make you hungry. In these situations, instead of opting for a sugary or oily snack, choose foods that will feed your brain. A bowl of cereal with blueberries, baked crackers and guacamole, or a handful of nuts are all snacks that will fill you up and feed your brain.
Lifestyle Choices
The best way to avoid late night eating is to go to bed. When nothing specific is keeping you up, go to sleep. Your body will benefit from the extra rest and you won’t be tempted into late night unhealthy snacking. The studies show your physical health, as well as your brain function improves when you eat well and get enough rest. Getting excellent grades and performing well on exams depends on more than just studying. Practice healthy habits to feel better, think better, and relieve stress.
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