Modified and translated by CFJA
4) The Relationship Between Mealtime and Timing
Eating is an act that nourishes the body. Based on this idea, it’s best to eat when you are genuinely hungry. Eating simply because it’s a certain time or for social reasons, even when not hungry, can lead to fatigue in the internal organs.
The liver is the organ most involved in digestion. When the liver is fatigued, appetite decreases. The pancreas, which controls blood sugar, also plays an essential role. The timing of meals is crucial in supporting the liver and pancreas.
The ideal times for meals are:
• Breakfast: around 6:30 to 8:00 a.m.
• Lunch: around 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Dinner: around 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
These times align with when the pancreas releases the most insulin, helping to control blood sugar with minimal strain. Eating outside these hours can place an excessive burden on the pancreas, increasing the risk of pancreatic conditions, including diabetes, acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer.
A particular point of caution is late-night eating. Around 9:00 p.m. is considered a “yellow zone,” and after 10:00 p.m. a “red zone,” where eating significantly increases the strain on the liver and kidneys.
In Japan, three meals a day became common after the Meiji era, although some people still eat twice daily. Sumo wrestlers, for example, usually eat between 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. and again from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., following their training schedule.
The Japan Meteorological Agency defines time periods as follows:
• Morning: around 6:00 to 9:00 a.m.
• Late morning: around 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Early afternoon: around 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
• Evening: around 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
• Early night: around 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
• Late night: around 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Sumo wrestlers eat during the late morning and evening periods. Ideally, dinner around sunset is best, though challenging for working adults. If possible, it’s advisable to avoid eating or drinking late at night.
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