MEAL timings may be linked to chronic health conditions, including increased risk of diabetes, amongst people who work night shifts, according to recent research conducted in Australia. “We know shift workers are more likely to have diabetes, they’re more likely to have heart disease, and they’re more likely to be overweight. Our research suggests that meal timing could be a major contributor to those issues,” commented the study authors.
The research included 55 participants in the healthy BMI range, who would not usually work night shifts. The participants were then split into three groups: those who fasted at night, those who had snacks, and those who ate full meals. All participants stayed awake for four nights and slept during the day, with a recovery day on day five to re-establish normal sleeping and eating cycles, and blood glucose testing on day six.
Results showed that participants who ate meals or snacks during the nightshift had significantly worse glucose tolerance compared to those who fasted. Insulin sensitivity was disrupted amongst all participants, however, regardless of their eating habits, adding to previous research claiming that night shifts cause circadian misalignment and thus impair glucose metabolism. “We found that blood glucose skyrocketed for those who ate full meals at night and those who snacked, while the people who fasted at night showed an increase in insulin secretion which kept blood sugar levels balanced,” the team reported. This has the potential to cause insulin resistance, and an increased risk of diabetes.
The investigators on the team added that not eating large meals while working night shift and instead eating primarily during the day could be a straightforward intervention to manage health outcomes for many workers, and would not involve an extreme shift in diet.
Researchers say future trials will investigate whether eating only protein snacks on night shift is a potential solution to satiating hunger without predisposing workers to negative health consequences.
Reference
Centofanti S et al. Fasting as an intervention to alter the impact of simulated night-shift work on glucose metabolism in healthy adults: a cluster randomised controlled trial. Diabetologia. 2024;DOI:10.1007/s00125-024-06279-1.
