How eating dinner earlier may increase your life span

Registered Dietitians, Recommend Eating These Foods, if You’re Over 50.Registered Dietitians, Recommend Eating These Foods, if You’re Over 50.It’s no secret that as we age, we begin to have particular dietary needs. .Thankfully, there area number of foods thatcan provide your body withthe nutrients it needs.Here are six dietitian-recommended foodsthat you should be eating if you’re over 50. .1. Dairy.As you age, your risk for osteoporosisincreases ... Yogurt is a perfect food high incalcium as well as vitamin D which helpscalcium absorption. Yogurt is also rich inprobiotics which helps promote gut health,  Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, via 'Eat This, Not That!'.2. High-Quality Protein.One thing that gains importance as you getolder is getting enough protein. If your dietis too low in protein and physical activityis not maintained, it can lead to sarcopenia,or muscle wasting as you age, Ricci-Lee Hotz, MS, RDN, via 'Eat This, Not That!'.3. Oats.Oats contain a soluble fiber calledbeta-glucan, and consuming at least30 grams of fiber is a good bet. Oats offeradditional benefits for the over 50crowd—they help keep blood sugarsteady and keep you feeling full which isperfect for watching your weight, Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, via 'Eat This, Not That!'.4. Flax Seeds. Flax seeds are an excellent source of bothinsoluble and soluble fiber which helps tokeep bowel movements regular. Flax seedsare also a rich source of ALA, a plant-basedomega 3 fatty acid, which can help lowerthe risk of heart attack and strokes, Theresa Gentile, MS, RDN, CDN, via 'Eat This, Not That!'.5. Sweet Potatoes.Sweet potatoes are a complexcarbohydrate with nearly 5 grams of fiberper potato. Fiber has been shown to helpwith digestion, improved gut health,and stabilizing blood sugar, Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN, via 'Eat This, Not That!'.6. Blueberries.Blueberries are a wonderful 'brainfood' for aging. Their dark blue huesinfer they are high in polyphenols,which have been proven to help withage-related memory decline, Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN, via 'Eat This, Not That!'

If you find yourself raiding the pantry before bed, you may want to reconsider — a new study suggests that eating late at night may reduce your life span.

The study published in the journal Science split mice into groups and observed the effect of diet and the timing of meals on life expectancy. Scientists discovered that mice on a calorie-restricted diet who ate only during their active phase increased their life expectancy by 35% compared to the control group who ate whenever and whatever they wanted.

The study also found that mice on a calorie-restricted diet with no restrictions on when they could eat increased their life expectancy by 10%, and those who only ate during their inactive phase increased their expectancy by 20%. But overall, the group that ate only during the active phase yielded the greatest results in increasing life expectancy than any other group.

Previous studies have shown the effects of reducing calories on diet in mice. Now, this study shows how meals impact the circadian rhythm and life span. While scientists only observed male mice, they hope that with further study, their observations could apply to humans.

“We have discovered a new facet to caloric restriction that dramatically extends life span in our lab animals,” senior author Dr. Joseph Takahashi told Medical News Today.

“If these findings hold true in people, we might want to rethink whether we really want that midnight snack.”

Eating later in the evening has other consequences as well.

According to Healthline, consequences can include acid reflux and negative impacts on blood sugar and blood pressure. Additionally, eating later may cause you to make poorer food choices such as overeating or choosing unhealthy snacks that are easy to prepare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends eating at least two hours before bed, otherwise, you may experience disruptions to your sleep.

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