Is eating breakfast really that important? Should you eat dinner early and go to bed on an empty stomach? Is intermittent fasting good for you? These are age-old questions that researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are hoping to answer. UAB has launched two studies, one with people with Type 2 diabetes and one with people who are overweight, to find out whether changing when you eat can make you healthier.

“We all have a circadian clock or body clock that makes our metabolism better at certain times of the day,” said Courtney Peterson, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Nutrition Sciences in the School of Health Professions. “Eating at the right time of the day, when your metabolism is naturally higher, may improve your health.”  

Research suggests that the time of day when you eat affects your blood sugar, weight and blood pressure. 

“There’s even evidence that changing when you eat may help people better control their diabetes, lose more body fat and have more energy,” Peterson said.

Now, Peterson is conducting two of the largest studies of meal timing ever done, and her team is looking for people to participate. All participants will be paid for taking part.

“We hope that two groundbreaking studies will lead to new dietary guidelines that provide clear advice on when people should eat, helping millions of people worldwide,” she said.

Read More at UAB News.