Experts have revealed the two hour window Brits should aim to have their dinner ready for to prevent issues like acid reflux and disrupted sleep – while potentially boosting weight loss and improving your digestion
It might feel all European and chic to have a late dinner, but it could be wrecking havoc on your body.
Whether you call it supper, dinner, or tea – your evening meal is often the biggest, especially after a long hard day at work where you’ve slowly built up the appetite of a horse. While certain factors such as our commute and getting the kids to the bed often have a huge sway in what time we tuck into our food – there’s a certain sweet spot that has been linked to a slew of health benefits
Nicknamed the ‘early bird approach’, this two-hour time slot might take some time to get used to, but may help you lose weight, sleep better, and improve your digestion.
According to experts over at Veera Health, the most common recommendation is to have you dinner between 5-7pm. This early window ‘aligns’ with your body’s natural circadian rhythm – which reaches its peak during daylight hours and starts to slow as the evening progresses.
“When you eat dinner early, you give your body more time to digest the food before going to bed,” the brand said. “This reduces the likelihood of indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux.” It’s also important to eat your dinner at the table rather than slouching on the couch while binge-watching Netflix, as poor posture can also trigger symptoms such as acid reflux.
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Eating early also reduces the risk of going to bed with a full stomach, which is a common cause of disrupted sleep. The NHS urges Brits to avoid eating within three-four hours before going to bed if they’re struggling with heartburn, acid reflux, or poor sleep.
“Instead, your body will be able to focus on resting and repairing rather than digesting a heavy meal,” Veera Health added. “Eating earlier in the evening may also help control cravings and prevent unnecessary late-night snacking, which is often a result of boredom rather than hunger.”
If sitting down for dinner between 5-7pm is completely unfeasible, eating before 8pm is still better than dining late and can help prevent spikes in blood sugar, which can ‘occur when you eat close to bed time’. “A moderate dinner time between 6 PM and 8 PM is a more flexible option for those who need to balance busy schedules, without the risk of eating too late in the evening,” Veera Health concluded.
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