Binge eating is a dangerous activity regardless of whether you’re trying to lose weight, trying to live a healthier lifestyle or are simply going about your daily life. No matter what you’re strategy may be – or even if you don’t have one – binge eating can be surprisingly harmful. If you’re attempting to lose weight, it can be particularly problematic.
Many people believe that as long as they are strictly careful about eating only healthy foods for six days per week, then they can eat whatever they want on that seventh day. It sounds as though it makes sense. After all, if you’re great for the vast majority of the time, then you’re allowed a bit of time off to ensure that you stay on track.
However, a new study published in the Nutrients journal suggests that this is not at all the case. What they found was that one day of binging could have a striking impact on the way your body functions. The participants in the study were asked to eat a one-day diet consisting of foods like bacon and fried eggs, sausage, burgers, cheesecake and other tasty, sugary and high fat foods. The diet had them eat 78 percent more calories than they usually would in a day.
The researchers measured the blood sugar readings of the participants on the day before they started the special diet and then compared them to the readings after they’d feasted for a day. What they discovered was that after only a single day of high fat overeating, the entire body’s insulin sensitivity fell by an average of 28 percent. Insulin sensitivity has to do with how your body responds to insulin – the hormone that makes it possible for your body to absorb your blood glucose so you can use that sugar as energy.
Reduced insulin sensitivity means your body might need to produce a higher amount of insulin for blood glucose absorption. Over time, the pancreas could struggle to be able to keep up with your insulin requirements, meaning that you may not have enough of the hormone. Inadequate insulin production can cause blood sugar to build up in your bloodstream and may result in the development of pre-diabetes or even diabetes.
This study revealed that after only one day of binge eating fatty foods, your entire body’s capacity for blood glucose processing is altered.
Though the occasional rare day of overeating won’t do a lot of damage in the long term, this research suggests that it’s not a good idea to try a diet that is on for six days and off for one.
