People were hungriest at their internal body clock evening no matter what they were doing. Why this occurred exactly isn’t known, but researchers can speculate: “It is likely related to changes in the strength of connections in the appetite centers of the brain (e.g., more neurotransmitter release, more receptors, and/or strengthened synapses),” says Steven Shea, PhD, director for the Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology at Oregon Health & Science University and the lead researcher. “The main circadian pacemaker that controls all of our daily rhythms emanates from a group of cells in the hypothalamus of the brain. Some of the parts of the brain circuits that also regulate appetite are also in the hypothalamus, so there are clear connections between the two systems.”
Giving in to your body’s internal ticker might not be so great for the waistline. “Increased hunger at night, in today's society where people tend to stay up later than they should (and cope the next day with the lack of sleep by consuming caffeine) will likely lead to increased food consumption overall, which naturally would lead to weight gain,” Dr. Shea says. If you can, he suggests, try waking up earlier and going to bed earlier to avoid late-night snacking—the less nighttime hours you’re awake, the less you’ll be tempted. In addition, as your overall sleep may improve you may experience a secondary advantage in terms of weight loss, he says. The study also found that participants’ appetites were most suppressed upon waking, so don’t skip breakfast: since you’re not as hungry, you’ll be less likely to overeat, and it helps to regulate your appetite throughout the day.
Yet another reason to hit the sheets earlier.
