Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and supper like a pauper. This a popular proverb that you must have heard at least once in your life. According to new studies, the saying has truth to it and is based on biology.
One of the major reasons why we find ourselves yawning in the middle of the day or hitting snooze multiple times is not due to an inadequate amount of sleep but rather due to our eating habits, Buzz Feed reported. According to physician Dr Mary Valvano, eating the biggest meal at the end of the day affects our energy levels.
She said, “Cells in our body metabolise food differently based on the time of day. Eating the same meal at 8am versus 6pm can affect our body’s ability to use it for energy.” She explained that eating late might “impair our blood sugar levels and the ability to get optimal energy from the next day’s meals”. A big part of the reason eating a big meal at night is so problematic for energy levels is that it disrupts our sleep.
If you’re a consumer of energy drinks, we have some news for you: They’re probably draining your energy, according to the experts. Studies also show that energy drinks can endanger heart and brain health, cause inflammation, increase your blood pressure and more. Other caffeinated beverages can help with energy levels, though.
“Consuming caffeine from sources like tea, especially green or fermented tea, can help improve energy levels by supporting the mitochondria, which are responsible for producing energy in our cells,” Valvano said. And if you live a sedentary lifestyle and eat a diet high in sugar and processed foods, that can definitely contributes to poor energy levels.
According to Valvano, big, “late-night meals mess with our body’s natural circadian rhythm,” which makes it harder to get quality rest. Another habit that drains our energy levels is consuming energy drinks. Studies show that energy drinks can endanger heart and brain health, cause inflammation, increase your blood pressure, and more. Regular exercise can help improve energy levels by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the brain and muscles,” said Dr. Danielle Kelvas, a physician based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. “Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day.
