Craving something sweet and cold after dinner? Ice cream often hits the spot, instantly lifting your mood. But indulging in this treat late at night could be doing more harm than good. Health experts warn that nighttime ice cream consumption disrupts your body’s natural rhythms, paving the way for serious health issues.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, nighttime is when the body winds down for rest. Digestive fire, or ‘agni,’ weakens significantly after sunset. Ice cream, being cold, heavy, and sugar-laden, aggravates ‘kapha’ dosha. This leads to sluggish digestion, toxin buildup, and common complaints like bloating, acidity, heaviness, and lethargy the next day.
Modern science echoes these concerns. Loaded with sugar and fats, ice cream causes rapid blood sugar spikes followed by crashes. These fluctuations interfere with sleep quality, as studies show elevated insulin levels from late-night sweets fragment restful slumber.
Weight gain is another major risk. With minimal physical activity at night, excess calories from ice cream convert directly to fat storage. Regular offenders may see obesity creep in, heightening chances of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases down the line.
Gastrointestinal woes are rampant too. The cold temperature relaxes stomach muscles, allowing acid reflux and burning sensations. For those prone to gas or GERD, it’s a recipe for discomfort. Ditch the nighttime habit for better digestion, stable energy, and overall vitality.