Whether it's a late dinner after a long day at the office, or some nighttime snacking, you're probably munching away and thinking, "I can justify this late meal—I'm so hungry!" Or, "this quick nighttime snack won't hurt me!" Well, research says these late dinners and snacks can lead to weight gain, acid reflux, and now, some concerning brain-related problems including impaired memory and learning capabilities.
In this recent study, scientists studied mice who were fed during the day when they tend to be most active, and at night when they should be sleeping. Both groups of mice were given a series of tests that examined their ability to remember unique objects and rooms associated with a mild electric shock. In both cases, mice who ate at night were significantly less able to recall the objects and experiences.
The scientists concluded that the timing of meals can disrupt the part of the brain involved in memory formation, thereby affecting our ability to learn. By consuming food at the "wrong" time of day, we are misaligning the clocks in our bodies and brains, Dr. Dawn Loh, the author of the study, told The Huffington Post.
And in addition to all of that, this 2014 op-ed in The New York Times revealed even more serious dangers associated with eating dinner late at night, like acid reflux problems and symptoms that could lead to esophageal cancer.
So if you love unwinding at the end of the day with a big meal and glass of wine when you come home from work, or you crave a few chips around 10 p.m. every night—here's the one easy change you can make. If you want to avoid both acid reflux and memory problems, Dr. Loh says it's simple—avoid late night snacking and meals. But if you just can't avoid the nighttime eating for various reasons, skip the ice cream and reach for a healthier snack, like pistachios or banana slices to satisfy savory and sweet cravings.
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