German‑Austrian study links late‑night eating to impaired glucose metabolism

Researchers from the German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE) and an Austrian partner examined how the timing of meals affects the body's ability to process glucose. In a twin study published in June 2025 in eBioMedicine, participants who ate their last meal later in the day, closer to bedtime, showed reduced insulin sensitivity and poorer glucose metabolism compared with those who ate earlier and kept regular meal times. The findings suggest that irregular meal timing can increase the risk of insulin resistance and type‑2 diabetes, reinforcing the importance of aligning eating patterns with the body's circadian rhythm.

The authors emphasise that metabolic health depends not only on what is eaten but also on when, highlighting potential public‑health guidance for regular meal schedules, especially for shift workers and individuals with irregular lifestyles.