Hebrew University study links social eating to lower blood sugar

A study led by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem suggests that eating with a loved one can lower blood sugar levels. Researchers found that after consuming a standardized carbohydrate meal, participants experienced smaller glucose spikes and faster recovery when eating in the company of others compared to eating alone.

Professor Shir Atzil, doctoral student Monia Masalha, and Dr. Shai Fuchs from Sheba Medical Center have termed this phenomenon ‘social physiology’. They propose that the human body regulates itself more efficiently in the presence of social interlocutors. Atzil noted that being near a loved one reduces the physical energy the body spends on self-regulation, providing a direct metabolic benefit.

The study's effects extended beyond glucose regulation; social proximity also improved temperature regulation during cold exposure and reduced stress responses in both adults and infants. These benefits were observed even without physical contact and were not solely explained by stress reduction, suggesting that social connection plays a fundamental biological role in human health.