Midnight snack science
In May we reported that an evolutionary trait that helped our ancestors store energy in times of food scarcity could now major driving factor behind obesity.
The study suggested that an internal circadian rhythm that causes increased appetite and cravings for sweet, starchy and salty foods in the evening was historically a good thing because it helped our ancestors store more energy and have an increased chance of surviving when food became scarce.
But in our current environment - with an abundance of high-calories foods - researchers believe that the same trait of the circadian system is now responsible for increased incidence of obesity and 'significant weight gain' – plus those well documented late-night snack cravings.