Eating at night spikes anxiety and depression
New research says when you eat influences mood
Nothing says it’s going to be a good day like waking up to a steaming hot cup of coffee and a large stack of pancakes. But new research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital suggests that it’s not just what you eat but when you eat that can strongly influence moods.
This is particularly significant for people who don’t have 9 to 5 work schedules, such as night shift workers, or those grappling with jet lag after a lot of travel.
Frank A. J. L. Scheer, an author of the study explained: “Our findings provide evidence for the timing of food intake as a novel strategy to potentially minimize mood vulnerability in individuals experiencing circadian misalignment, such as people engaged in shift work, experiencing jet lag, or suffering from circadian rhythm disorders.”
Scheer, who leads the Brigham’s Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders added: “Future studies in shift workers and clinical populations are required to firmly establish if changes in meal timing can prevent their increased mood vulnerability.”
“Until then, our study brings a new ‘player’ to the table: the timing of food intake matters for our mood.”
The study attempted to simulate night shift workers’ lifestyles, splitting participants…
