The vast difference between early birds and night owls has always been a subject of interest for researchers, particularly when it comes to health.
Now, in a new international study, experts discovered that early morning risers are more likely to make healthier food choices than people who stay up late.
Difference In Food Choices
Past studies have revealed that earlier meal times may aid in weight loss and decrease risks of developing heart disease and diabetes. The new study explains that not only does our circadian rhythm or internal biological clock impact our metabolism, but it also influences what we choose to eat.
Researchers examined data from about 2,000 people who were randomly chosen to find out if their internal clock influenced their food choices and at what time they ate.
There were clear differences in macronutrients such as carbohydrates, fat, protein, and energy between morning types and evening types, with morning larks making healthier and more balanced meal time decisions throughout the day.
On the other hand, night owls ate considerably more sucrose and less protein in the morning. At night, this group took in more sucrose, saturated fatty acids, and fat.
During weekends, the food choice differences between these two chronotypes, which is another term for natural sleep cycle, were even more noticeable. Evening types ate irregularly during weekends, and they had twice as many occasions for eating. They also slept considerably worse and had less physical activity.
Increased Health Problems
Study authors suggest that night owls have less healthy eating habits and are at higher risk for diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. These findings are invaluable for people who are trying to lose weight, as it offers a logical explanation into why they choose to eat what they do throughout the day.
"Linking what and when people eat to their biological clock type provides a fresh perspective on why certain people are more likely to make unhealthy food decisions," said study lead author Mirkka Maukonen.
Courtney Peterson, spokesperson from The Obesity Society, said nutritionists can help guide patients to choose healthier options and recommend the best time to eat food based on their biological clocks.
A 2015 study in South Korea revealed that night owls were more likely to develop diabetes than early-to-bed, early-to-rise people. This is true even if they sleep the same number of hours in a day, researchers said. It may be caused by unhealthy habits such as late-night snacking, sedentary lifestyles, and smoking.
Meanwhile, details of the new study have been published in the journal Obesity.
