Cardiorenal metabolic consequences of nighttime snacking: is it an innocent eating behavior?

Abstract

Purpose of Review Health consequences of nighttime eating, as a publicly discussed eating behavior type, have been speculated lately. Nighttime eating has been linked to various metabolic outcomes including hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia, weight gain, elevated blood pressure, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, and cardiorenal outcomes such as atherosclerosis, a decline in eGFR, and proteinuria. Recent Findings Although the exact underlying pathophysiological mechanism is not yet clear, multiple hypotheses including disrupted circadian rhythm, altered hormonal levels, and decline in cellular regeneration have been proposed. In this review, we aim to evaluate the growing literature on nighttime eating behavior in terms of metabolic and cardiorenal outcomes, pathophysiological basis, and potential therapeutic alternatives.