Spain is known for its long afternoons and late dinners. It is not uncommon to start dinner at ten or even eleven at night. However, the nutritionist María del Mar Molina, as the author of 'Solar Diet' challenges this centennial custom and assure: “Don't eat after seven in the afternoon”. This is a proposal that breaks with tradition and considers that it generates benefits in metabolic and digestive health. Your approach, however, has generated debate and media attention in the nutritional sector, questioning whether the way in which we have conceived food in our country affects our body. The doctor argues that Early dinner respects the circadian rhythm and can reduce problems such as insomnia, heavy digestions or overweight. Although this proposal is in the opposite direction to our culture, there are more and more evidences that would support this idea.
Dinner before sunset; How to favor the natural rhythm of the body
The basis of this recommendation is in the crononutrición, A discipline that studies how intake schedules influence physiological processes. According to Molina and other experts in the field, eating before seven in the afternoon, keeps the active digestive system during the day and lets you rest at night. Thus, hormonal levels such as leptin and insulin are better regulated. This will improve appetite control and fat accumulation.
Studies support that early dinner can improve insulin resistance, reduce night glucose peaks and favor the maintenance of healthy weight. In addition, Early dinner limits the vigil time after food, which benefits the quality of sleep and avoids awakening for interrupted digestions. These findings are aligned with those of chrononutrition that promotes tune in food with sunlight.
Better digestion, sleep and metabolism
The impact of advancing dinner also translates into improvements in digestion and rest. According to Molina, leaving several hours between dinner and calm makes the body complete digestion without interfering with deep sleep. This reduces acidity, reflux, and nightlife; especially useful for people with digestive problems or for those who suffer mild insomnia.
On the other hand, adopting early dinners causes a more active lifestyle to be maintained in the morning and Avoid unhealthy habits such as resorting to ultraprocessed or chopping at night. In addition, this schedule better accompanies those who work early or do morning exercise, since you do not drag the night heaviness.
