Actor Nagarjuna has surprised many by sharing a simple habit that he believes keeps him looking fit at 66. In an interview, he shared that he likes to finish his dinner by 7 pm. This small routine, a top
gastroenterologist, Dr Pal Manickam says, may be the real reason behind his fresh look, strong energy and steady fitness even at this age. Dr Pal recently posted a video breaking down why this early dinner rule works so well. He explained that the body slows down its digestive work after sunset.
When someone eats late, the body is forced to digest food while it should be resting. This can raise sugar and insulin levels, slow down metabolism and add unwanted fat. The doctor shared that people who wrap up dinner early get better sleep, feel lighter and have stronger gut health. His advice is clear: eat whatever you want, but try to finish it before 7 pm.
Why Finishing Dinner By 7 pm Helps The Body Work Smoothly
Taking to Instagram, Dr Pal Manickam explained, “I think Nagarjuna is my subscriber because that’s exactly I have been telling everyone always. This is one of the secrets to looking young, fit and energetic even in your 60s. Eating your dinner before 7 or by 7 is something everyone should follow. Remember, all cells in our body have a sleeping pattern. All cells in our digestive system mostly rest at night, especially after sunset. So when the ray of sunlight is not entering your eyes, the digestive hormones will go to sleep. But when you eat late, your body is still digesting while you are trying to sleep, which raises the blood sugar rises the insulin level. Over time, this can affect your metabolism and even increase your fat storage.”
“Time restricted feeding and Nagarajuna’s funk have one rule in common, 16 hours no food and 16 weeks no barber. Studies show, people who finish dinner early have better sleep quality, improved gut health and a lower risk of obesity and diabetes. So it is not just what you eat, it is when you eat. Whenever I ask my friend to try intermittent fasting, his nerves pop up like Ratchaga Nagarjuna and he orders a falooda in Swiggy. If you can’t control yourself from eating that biryani, at least eat it before 7,” the doctor added.
In the caption, Dr Pal Manickam wrote, “When even Nagarjuna swears by early dinners, you know it’s not just a trend. Your gut, sleep, and energy all thank you for it. So, are you eating at 7 or midnight?”
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‘Early Dinner Is Very Effective’
Reacting to the post, a user wrote, “He has been doing it for the last 35 years.”
Another shared, “I cannot have dinner by 7 pm as I come home from work at 6 pm and then have to prepare dinner. The best I can manage is 8 – 830 pm.”
“Even if our people eat before 7 pm, they will drink three cups of tea after that,” a comment read.
An individual stated, “Me, as a Bangalorean, laughing in the corner as we get to reach home only after 9 pm due to traffic.”
Another mentioned, “Dinner at 7 is only applicable if you sleep by 9 or 10 max. In olden days, this was the ritual because there was no TV, no electricity and no buzzing city’s nightlife. Bottom line – sleep within 3 hours of dinner.”
One more added, “Early dinner is very effective, following this for 2 months now, feeling so light, energetic, better sleep pattern.”
Study Shows Early Dinner Leads To Better Blood Sugar Control
A study titled, ‘Eating Dinner Early Improves 24-h Blood Glucose Levels and Boosts Lipid Metabolism after Breakfast the Next Day: A Randomised Cross Over Trial’ shared an interesting finding. Published in the National Library of Medicine, the research showed that eating dinner at 6 pm helped bring down blood sugar levels after the meal. This happened even though both early and late eaters had the same meals with the same calories.
The team noticed that people who ate at 9 pm had higher blood sugar, not just after dinner but throughout the night and even the next morning. In comparison, people who ate early had smoother blood sugar control and showed better metabolism the next day. The results suggest that the timing of your dinner can make a real difference in how your body handles sugar and energy.
