Kozhikode: Actor Akkineni Nagarjuna wants you to know he does have dinner, just not when most of us do. “But it’s an early eating. By 7 pm, I have salads, rice, chicken, fish…” revealed the Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva star in a 2024 chat with RR composer MM Keeravani.

For the 65-year-old actor, it’s a habit, not a diet hack. “It is a way of life,” he shared, adding that he’s been working out and following this routine for over 35 years. Turns out, Nagarjuna might be onto something more than just staying camera-ready. Experts say it isn’t only what’s on your plate that matters, but when you eat it.

“Nagarjuna’s dinner tip of finishing his meal by 7 pm isn’t just a celebrity quirk; it’s backed by solid science,” explained nutritionists. Eating early means your body can digest before bedtime, instead of wrestling with food when it’s trying to rest, which often leads to bloating, acidity, poor sleep, and even weight gain over time, they added.

An early dinner also gives your metabolism a friendly nudge. “Our insulin sensitivity — how well we handle sugar — is higher earlier in the day. Eating late keeps glucose lingering in your bloodstream, which can raise the risk of insulin resistance, especially for people with diabetes or prediabetes,” added experts.

From a digestion angle, wrapping up dinner by 7 pm syncs beautifully with your body’s natural rhythm. “You wake up lighter, and usually feel more energetic and focused,” said experts.

Of course, not everyone’s clock ticks like Nagarjuna’s. “The goal isn’t a strict 7 pm curfew,” experts said clarified. “Just aim to finish dinner at least 2–3 hours before bed. Your gut — and probably your mood the next morning — will thank you.”

So next time you’re tempted by that 11 pm biryani, remember: Nagarjuna’s been skipping late-night cravings for three decades — and science says it’s a blockbuster move!