Every night around 11 PM, we often feel hungry and crave food. If we scroll through Facebook during this time and see someone posting pictures of food, it can feel like a “soul-stirring” experience. So why do we often feel hungry at night? Even though we’ve had three meals during the day, we still feel hungry when it’s time to sleep?
Here are some studies that indicate why our bodies tend to feel hungry at night, highlighting various reasons:
Nighttime Hunger as a “Reflex” from the Brain
A study from Harvard University and the Oregon Health & Science University shows that if you often feel hungry at night, it can be an emotional response linked to your body’s biological clock, regardless of whether you are dieting or not. Sounds confusing? – Essentially, the Oregon study involved a group of volunteers who only ate and slept in a room, with the condition of no smartphones, no TV, and no socializing with friends for two weeks. The room was dimly lit and sealed to create a constant nighttime atmosphere.
The results showed that this group of people always felt the hungriest at night, even though they could not distinguish whether it was day or night.
Nighttime is when the brain is ‘free’, making it easy to think about food and drink.
The conclusion from the researcher at Oregon University indicates that hunger is triggered by neurons in the hypothalamus of the human brain.
Additionally, nighttime is when the brain is ‘free’, making it easier to think about food and drink. This can also lead to feelings of hunger and cravings.
Nighttime Hunger Arises from Insufficient or Unhealthy Eating During the Day
Of course, we cannot overlook the fact that nighttime hunger also depends on what you eat during the day; it could be that you are not eating enough or your body is not absorbing sufficient vitamins and minerals. For example, if you crave sweets at night, it indicates that your body lacked magnesium during the day. Or if you crave salty foods like meat, it means your body did not get enough calcium and iron.
This is why doctors and nutritionists always advise us to consume a balanced diet and drink plenty of water during the day. When your meals are well-balanced, your body will absorb the necessary nutrients and eliminate feelings of hunger.
One important point to note, according to nutrition expert Jessica Cording, is that you should avoid consuming too many simple carbohydrates in a day, such as sugars from cereals, candies, or dairy products. Because the body absorbs and burns these nutrients very quickly, leading to feelings of hunger.
Eating at Night Can Lead to Weight Gain and Skipping Breakfast
“Eating at night can easily lead to weight gain.” This statement is not incorrect, partly due to the habit of consuming too many simple carbohydrates like candies and sugary drinks, which are processed with refined sugars and lack nutritional value. Foods made from rice flour, fried foods, and oily dishes also contribute to this issue. In reality, eating an unbalanced diet can lead to weight gain, not just eating at night.
To avoid nighttime eating, you need to develop a habit of going to bed early and waking up early. This habit will positively affect your biological clock to help prevent feelings of hunger. Lack of sleep or staying up late will only make you feel hungrier.
Remember not to skip breakfast, even if you’re not hungry, don’t skip this meal. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and helps prevent hunger during other meals.
