Why Do You Feel Hungry at Night? Experts Explain Night Eating Syndrome

Even after having complete meal at night some people feel frequently hunger at night. If they feel suddenly wakeup at 2 or 3 am, they feel an intense urge to eat something. But have you ever stopped to consider the reason behind this?  Is it merely a habit, or does an underlying medical condition lurk beneath it? According to experts, feeling hungry at night occasionally is normal, however, if this occurs on a daily basis, it is not considered healthy.

According to Dr. Deepak Kumar Suman, a Senior Resident at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, feeling hungry at night simply implies that the body requires energy even during the nocturnal hours. In such situations, the brain signals the body that it is hungry. This phenomenon is frequently observed in individuals who, for any reason, stay awake until late at night.

Night Eating Syndrome: In certain cases, frequent hunger at night can be a symptom of a specific syndrome. In medical terminology, this condition is referred to as 'Night Eating Syndrome.' Individuals suffering from this syndrome experience excessive hunger at night and repeatedly wake up to consume food. This is classified as a syndrome only if it occurs daily; experiencing this phenomenon once or twice a week is considered normal.

What is the Connection Between Staying Up Late and Hunger?

According to Dr. Deepak, individuals who stay awake until late at night do not get adequate sleep. Consequently, a hormone in the body known as 'Ghrelin' fails to function properly. A lack of sufficient sleep causes the levels of this hormone to rise, resulting in frequent hunger pangs during the night. If this pattern of hunger persists consistently, it is not a matter to be taken lightly. Left unchecked, it can lead to a range of health issues in the future—ranging from obesity to liver-related diseases.

How ​​Can It Be Controlled

1. Avoid taking on mental stress. Eat nutritious meals 3–4 times a day.
2. Keep your dinner light.
3. Break the habit of staying up late.
4. If these measures do not make a difference, be sure to consult a doctor.