Scientists have found that people who often eat late at night and experience a lot of stress are much more likely to face digestive problems. The research results were presented at the “Digestive Disease Week 2026” conference, reports the American health portal “Verywell Health”.
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Researchers analyzed data from more than 11,000 people. They assessed their stress levels and eating habits, paying special attention to how many calories people consumed late at night.
It turned out that those who consumed more than a quarter of their daily calories after 9 p.m. and experienced high stress were 1.7 times more likely to complain of constipation or diarrhea.
In another study involving more than 4,000 people, the results were even more pronounced – the risk of intestinal problems was 2.5 times higher.
Not only digestion suffers
Scientists also noticed another worrying change. People who ate late at night and experienced a lot of stress had a less diverse gut microbiome.
Experts explain that the more diverse the good bacteria living in the gut, the more resistant it is to inflammation, infections, and various digestive disorders. When bacterial diversity decreases, the risk of health problems increases.
Why does stress affect the gut so much?
Scientists have long known that the brain and gut are closely connected. This connection is often called the gut-brain axis.
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When experiencing stress, the body switches to the so-called “fight or flight” mode.
When experiencing stress, the body switches to the so-called “fight or flight” mode. Digestion slows down, hormone activity changes, and the balance of gut bacteria can be disrupted.
Late eating also contributes to this. Experts explain that the body operates according to an internal biological clock that regulates sleep, digestion, and metabolism. When eating very late, this rhythm is disturbed.
What do experts advise?
Researchers emphasize that there is no need to panic over one late snack. Overall habits are much more important.
To take care of gut health, it is recommended to try to consume most of the calories earlier in the day, maintain a regular eating schedule, and find other ways to relax after a stressful day.
Evening walks, reading a book, a warm bath, or other activities unrelated to food can help with this.
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