Study type: Randomized controlled trialConfidence: LowChecked against the abstract

Effect of meal timing on postprandial glucose responses to a low glycemic index meal: a crossover trial in healthy volunteers

Leung GKW, Huggins CE, Bonham MP

Year2019

Sample sizen=10

JournalClinical Nutrition

AuthorsLeung GKW, Huggins CE, Bonham MP

Evidence is still limited and needs further study

Summary

A crossover trial in healthy volunteers. The same low glycemic index meal was consumed at 0800h, 2000h and 0000h, with postprandial glucose and insulin measured over 3 hours. Both the evening and midnight meals produced a higher incremental area under the curve for glucose than the morning meal, with insulin higher as well; evening and midnight did not differ. Choosing low GI ingredients does not remove the night-time rise.

Source (read the original)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.11.010

Verification breakdown

Bibliography: Checked against Crossref (2026-07-25)
Content: The text of this record has been checked against the original abstract (2026-07-27)What was checked: sample size, measured outcomes, study design, population studiedParticipant numbers differ by trial: 10 for the confirmatory OGTT, 9 for the low GI meal trial. sampleSize records 10.
Editorial review: 2026-07-27

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Key Findings

Key findings

Key point

1
Even with a low GI meal, postprandial glucose iAUC was higher at 2000h and 0000h than at 0800h (p=0.008 and p=0.021).
2
Postprandial insulin iAUC was also higher in the evening and at midnight than in the morning (p=0.008 for both).
3
Evening and midnight did not differ significantly; the authors describe the effect as observable from 8pm and persisting through the night.
4
Only 3-hour postprandial glucose and insulin were measured. Body composition and body weight were not. The low GI meal trial had 9 participants.

Related Research

Related research

Randomized controlled trial

Greater weight loss and hormonal changes after 6 months diet with carbohydrates eaten mostly at dinner

Obesity, 2011

An RCT in 78 police officers with BMI over 30, randomised to a weight-loss diet with carbohydrates concentrated at dinner or to a conventional control diet, over six months. **The experimental group lost more weight, abdominal circumference and body fat**, and reported less hunger. Fasting glucose, average daily insulin, HOMA-IR, lipids, CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 all improved more than in controls. The direction is the opposite of the common claim that carbohydrates at night make you fat.

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Articles featuring this study

Research vs Bro-science
Do Carbs at Night Make You Fat? Common Belief vs. the Evidence
The idea that eating carbs at night leads to fat gain is treated as settled wisdom in diet culture. Many people cut back on dinner rice or pasta as a direct result. But what does the research actually say?
Shingo Yoshizaki

Last checked: 2026-07-27