A 40-year-old patient recently asked whether he should stop eating dinner altogether. He had come across social media advice suggesting that metabolism slows down at night and skipping dinner could help prevent blood sugar spikes. The question is common, but the answer is not as simple as it appears. Age alone does not determine whether someone should eat dinner. What matters more is how the body’s metabolism changes over time and how meal timing interacts with those changes. After 40, the body gradually becomes less efficient at handling blood sugar, particularly later in the day. At the same time, there is a natural tendency towards increased fat accumulation and a decline in muscle mass. These shifts make the body more sensitive to when and how food is consumed, rather than just how much is eaten. The body’s internal clock The human body runs on an internal clock that regulates not only sleep but also metabolism. Hormones that control hunger, insulin activity and energy use follow a daily rhythm.…