Sick Burn! Late-Night Snacking May Up Your Chances Of Sunburn

Glowing skin can be an indicator of a healthy lifestyle, and an excess of sugar and fried foods can lead to oily, acne-ridden skin. Now researchers are saying that eating late at night — whatever it may be — can leave you prone to a sunburn.

A study out of University of California, Irvine and the O'Donnell Brain Institute at UT Southwestern Medical Center suggests that indulging in a nighttime treat past normal hours can influence the cycles your skin follows. According to Quartz, after a sunburn, the skin gene XPA repairs sun-damaged DNA when the body is resting and sleeping. If the body is up and eating while XPA is supposed to be at work, the cycle is thrown off.

Researchers tested this theory, and found that when (nocturnal) lab mice ate during the day, they were more susceptible to skin damage from UVB lights.

So the next time you're planning to get your tan on, remember to skip the late-night snack and pack extra sunscreen. You don't need to work on your night cheese.