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Late-night eating is linked to circadian rhythm disruption, metabolic conditions, sleep disturbances, and mood disorders

The abstract reports that late-night eating is associated with circadian rhythm disruption, metabolic conditions such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, as well as sleep disturbances and mood disorders including depression and anxiety. However, the true magnitude of this effect remains unclear, and no systematic review has specifically evaluated the effects of dinner timing and energy intake on these outcomes.

Last updated: Jul 29, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score42/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Impact of dinner timing and energy intake on metabolic and mental health: a systematic review protocol.

observational

Bouayed A, Berardi AM, Alshawsh MA, Bouayed J · JBI evidence synthesis (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Late vs early dinner timing and/or high vs low energy intake at the last meal of the day
Outcome: Metabolic outcomes (glucose levels, body weight gain/loss, insulin resistance) and mental health outcomes (mood, sleep quality, anxiety, depression)
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Adults aged 18 to 65 years

Result:

PubMed: 42504974DOI: 10.11124/JBIES-25-00257

Mechanism Graph

Late-night eating disrupts circadian rhythms
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Circadian disruption alters metabolic processes
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Metabolic dysregulation contributes to conditions like obesity and insulin resistance
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Result: Increased risk of metabolic syndrome, sleep disturbances, and mood disorders

Limitations

  • ⚠The abstract describes a protocol, not results, so no empirical effect sizes or definitive conclusions are provided
  • ⚠The review only includes RCTs from 2010 onwards, potentially excluding older relevant studies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main focus of this systematic review?▼

The review aims to appraise and synthesize randomized controlled trials examining the effects of dinner timing (late vs early) and energy intake (high vs low) on both mental and metabolic health.

What health outcomes are being investigated?▼

Metabolic outcomes such as glucose levels, body weight gain/loss, and insulin resistance, as well as mental health outcomes including mood, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression.

What is the proposed mechanism linking late-night eating to poor health?▼

Late-night eating is thought to disrupt circadian rhythms, which can lead to metabolic dysregulation and contribute to conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, sleep disturbances, and mood disorders.

What type of studies will be included in this review?▼

Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from 2010 onwards, involving adults aged 18 to 65 years, that compare early vs late dinner timing and/or low- vs high-energy intake at the last meal of the day.

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References

  1. 1.Bouayed A, Berardi AM, Alshawsh MA, Bouayed J. "Impact of dinner timing and energy intake on metabolic and mental health: a systematic review protocol.." JBI evidence synthesis, 2026. PMID: 42504974 DOI: 10.11124/JBIES-25-00257
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.