Reviewed by최연승대표원장
Can long-term habits of late-night snacking or binge eating actually cause health problems? I'd like to know about real-life examples.
Yes, it leads to issues beyond simple weight gain. Many patients I've consulted reported feeling an overwhelming heaviness upon waking, chronic indigestion, and persistent edema. While it may seem harmless at first, repeated habits disrupt the metabolic system, potentially leading to a state where weight loss becomes difficult even with reduced caloric intake. The longer these habits are left unchecked, the longer the recovery process takes.
I once experienced a similar period of irregular eating and late-night snacking due to a busy schedule. I thought I was fine, but eventually, I woke up feeling dizzy and physically exhausted. Through my own experience and clinical practice, I have seen the systemic impact of these habits.
From the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), these habits generate 'Dam-eum' (痰飮, phlegm-fluid retention), which are metabolic waste products resulting from impaired fluid metabolism. When this accumulates, it can lead to 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis), hindering smooth blood circulation. Specifically, if the body enters a state of 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, Spleen deficiency), the digestive system fails to convert food into energy, allowing toxins to accumulate instead.
I recall a patient in their 40s, a corporate employee who dealt with stress through late-night snacking for over a decade. This resulted not only in weight gain but also in chronic inflammation and extreme lethargy—a clear signal that the body could no longer compensate.
Binge eating and late-night snacking are often stress responses to 'psychological hunger.' Simply forcing oneself to suppress these urges often leads to a rebound effect. Therefore, rather than absolute fasting, I recommend focusing on restoring damaged metabolic functions to help the body regain its innate ability to self-regulate. It is important to carefully listen to and address the signals your body is sending.