Is it true that eating after 6 pm is harmful? Doctors from Germany answer
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No salad, no alcohol and, of course, no main meal at a late hour: some things are recommended for health. But what is really true? Information is provided by two experts.
Should certain foods be avoided at certain times of the day? Such advice is heard again and again. According to ecotrophologist Astrid Donalis from the German Nutrition Society (DGE), there is no significant scientific evidence for time restrictions, such as eating only raw vegetables and fruits before 2 p.m.
People suffering from heartburn should be more careful with fruit in the evening. Especially fruits with a high fruit acid content, such as citrus fruits, can cause belching.
“It's especially uncomfortable when you're lying down and bothers you when you're falling asleep,” says Sabina Holzepfel, a consultant in the food and nutrition department of the Baden-Württemberg Consumer Center.
Digestive biorhythm
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Previously, it was assumed that it all depends on the total daily intake, rather than when and how often people eat.
“There are now signs that timing also plays a role . Some studies show health benefits if breakfast is more plentiful and dinner is less energetic,” explains consumer rights advocate Holzepfel.
This is also obvious: after all, the digestive system is subject to biorhythms. It is most active in the morning hours, but less active in the evening and at night.
Thus, the statement that everything you eat after 6:00 PM remains undigested is not true.
“Digestion begins with chewing and saliva in the mouth,” explains Donalis. And the gastrointestinal tract does not completely stop working at night.
However, some foods are easier and more difficult to digest. Spicy, hot or fried foods, as well as meat, stay longer in the gastrointestinal tract and are digested more slowly. This can cause symptoms such as stomach pressure, bloating or heartburn. “If you have these problems, you should avoid dinner – at least three to four hours before bedtime.”
Liquid foods such as soups and cereals have a shorter digestion time and are therefore often easier to digest. .
Feeling full and gassy are bad prerequisites for a good night's sleep. He who feels that he has already eaten, should try it with the help of light exercises and take an evening walk.
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