According to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, eating at night may be associated with depression- and anxiety-like moods compared to having daytime meals.

The study included 12 males and 7 women. Participants were kept in low light for four 28-hour "days" that caused their behavioral cycles to be 12 hours backward by the fourth "day," imitating night work and misaligning their circadian rhythms.

Meals were consumed on a 24-hour cycle in the daytime-only meal intervention group and on a 28-hour cycle in the daytime and midnight meal control group. One of the two meal timing groups was assigned to participants at random.

The study measured depression- and anxiety-like mood levels every hour and looked at the impact of eating during the day and night instead of only during the day. It was seen that the timing of meals had a substantial impact on the participants moods. In comparison to daytime eating groups, midnight eating groups showed a 26% increase in anxiety and depressive-like symptoms. They noted that this rise was not observed in the participant group who only had food during the day, suggesting that meal time may impact mood vulnerability.

The results pave the way for a cutting-edge sleep behavioral approach that might help people with mental health conditions. The study suggests that improving sleep and circadian rhythms may support mental health.

(Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/night-time-eating-linked-to-depression-anxiety-study-101666344128555.html)