To binge or not to binge, that is the question. But researchers say indulgence in heavy eating and drinking during weekends will not make you fat.
Researchers at the Cornell University, VTT Technical Research Center of Finland and Tampere University of Technology found that people can lose weight on weekdays after consuming heavy food and binge drinking on weekends.
For the study, the researchers examined the impact the seven day eating cycle has on weight. They observed 80 participants, aged between 25 and 62 years. They were divided in three groups based on their relative weight categories (during the whole week) - weight losers (who lost more than 3 percent), weight gainers (who gained more than 1 percent) and maintainers (who were between -3 percent and 1 percent).
The research team told the participants to weigh themselves every morning before breakfast to observe whether weight fluctuation is dependent on the days of the week. They were followed up for 15 days minimum and 330 days maximum.
The study results showed that 59 percent participants gained weight during weekends and 60 percent lost weight on weekdays. Friday was the day they weighed their week's less. Those who lost more weight had the strongest compensation after the weekends and the decrease was immediately seen during the weekdays
Brian Wansink, the study author and researcher at Cornell University said, "Weight loss occurs during the weekdays. It's less important what happens during the weekends."
They further explained in a news release that humans have weight loss cycles similar to the sleep cycle and more weight loss during the weekdays results in better health.
People mostly have lots of time to go out on weekends and this explains their craving for fatty foods and exotic cuisine. Wansink said, "Don't get discouraged after the weekend. Weekdays are when you get stuff done, and it's time to get back to business." reports HuffPost.
