“It was our tradition to finish food before 7.30 pm in the old days. Now, with fast lifestyles, and eating habits have changed,” shares Dr Abhay Gundgurthi.
In India’s urban areas, where work and social commitments often stretch late into the night, late-night eating can lead to to weight gain and metabolic problems.
Recent studies have linked early dinners to not just better digestion, improved sleep, and lower risk of chronic diseases, but also obesity and even longevity of a person.
Dr Sudhir Kumar, says “Early dinner reduces the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Restricting the window for eating reduces the risk of obesity, diabetes, and more.”
While the ideal time to eat dinner depends on one’s daily schedule, lifestyle, culture, etc, several researchers and doctors have suggested between 7 and 8 pm as ideal.
Dr Gundgurthi adds, “Consistent meal timings, especially for dinner, contribute to improved sleep quality by allowing the body to digest food well before bedtime.”