- KR Bharat
- 2025-12-18
Late-night eating disrupts the body’s natural circadian rhythm, which regulates digestion and metabolism. Gastroenterologists warn that the digestive system slows down significantly at night, leading to delayed gastric emptying and prolonged exposure of the stomach lining to acid. Over time, this can result in acid reflux, gastritis, bloating, indigestion and sleep disturbances.
Experts point out that repeated late-night meals increase the risk of chronic conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers and metabolic disorders. Poor digestion at night can also trigger inflammation in the gut, weaken nutrient absorption and aggravate existing digestive problems.
Doctors advise maintaining a gap of at least two to three hours between dinner and sleep to allow proper digestion. Choosing light, balanced meals and avoiding spicy, oily and processed foods at night can significantly reduce strain on the digestive system. Establishing regular meal timings and healthy sleep habits, they say, plays a crucial role in long-term gut health and overall well-being.
