The roots of this claim come from animal studies. Let's say, that's one of the reasons.

I'll simplify a lot so we don't get overwhelmed by scientific research and nuances.

Researchers hypothesized that the body absorbs calories differently depending on circadian rhythms (sleep and wake periods).

Night is a time for sleep and recovery, not for chewing food. If you eat at night, you go against your circadian rhythms.

Studies on mice confirmed this. Rodents fed during their inactive phase indeed gained weight faster than those fed during their active phase.

However, studies on humans do not show that late eating by itself automatically leads to weight gain.

Why then do those who eat at night gain weight?

Several factors come into play:

🔜Night eaters tend to overeat and usually choose more calorie-dense foods;

🔜Lack of sleep and disrupted schedule increase hunger and impair food control;

🔜Emotional eating and fatigue are two more factors leading to choosing higher-calorie foods at night. Few people sneak to the fridge at night to chew celery) They go for something fattier and sweeter.

When it comes to weight control, total daily calorie intake matters first, not the time of eating.

If you eat within your daily calorie needs, you won't gain weight just from eating at night.

And here many people make life harder for themselves. They focus on meal timing instead of looking at the big picture.

For example, for some people a working strategy might be a normal, hearty dinner with shifting most carbohydrates to the evening.

Here's why:
🔜 You can sit down and have a proper dinner with family, instead of sitting sadly with a lettuce leaf and envying your husband who is devouring meatballs with mashed potatoes.

🔜Protection from nighttime munchies. While you're busy at work, you don't think about food. But as soon as you come home and relax, the fridge starts calling stronger than an ex after a glass of wine.
Often instead of a normal dinner, you get endless trips to the fridge "just a little bit," which in total add up to more than one proper meal.
It's easier to sit down and eat "legally."

Personally, I think food eaten at night goes straight to the heart😁

Hit ❤️ if you agree
Hit 🔥 if you need more breakdowns:)