(Image source from: Say no to midnight munching})

Do you find yourself snacking incessantly on delicious junks at the wee hours of the night? If yes, then beware, for you run the risk of gaining unwanted weight.

A study by the University of Pennsylvania has revealed that people who tend to stay up till late, consume unwanted calories and as a result, pile on more weight.

Another study by the University of Colorado Denver's Anschutz Medical Campus revealed that nocturnals basically tend to gorge on fattier after-dinner snacks, aggravating the risk further.

“The first impulse, when hunger strikes at night, is to grab something from the fridge to kill the pangs. Whether you are watching television, reading a book or doing chores at night, your mind is in 'active' mode and needs fuel to function, hence hunger sets in. Even if people aren't really hungry, they are drawn towards food before retiring to bed because it's a great comforter and a stress buster," says Namita Jain, dietician and clinical wellness specialist, Bombay Hospital.

Says holistic health expert Mickey Mehta,  "Avoid heavy snacks like nachos and pizza slices that take a lot of energy to digest. Opt for small snack portions of easily digestible foods instead.”

So now you possibly know how early to bed and early to rise can keep you off the junk and treadmill too. Pay heed!

AW: Suchorita Dutta