New research indicates that dining with close companions can enhance blood sugar management and improve overall physiological responses, challenging traditional views of human physiology.
New research from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem suggests that sharing a meal with someone close may do more than make dinner more pleasant: it could also help the body manage blood sugar more effectively. In a study published in Science Advances, researchers found that adults who ate a standardised carbohydrate meal alongside their partners had smaller rises in blood glucose and returned to normal levels more quickly than those who ate alone.
The team led by Professor Shir Atzil says the findings support an idea it calls “social physiology” – the notion that human bodies work more efficiently in the presence of people they care about. Atzil said the research challenges the long-held assumption that physiology operates as an isolated system, arguing instead that closeness to a loved one can reduce the energy the body spends on regulation.
The effects were not limited to glucose control. According to the research, social proximity also improved temperature regulation during cold exposure and reduced stress responses in both adults and infants. The benefits were seen even when people were not physically touching, and the researchers said lower stress on its own could not explain the results.
The findings fit with earlier research linking companionship and routine shared meals to better health outcomes. A 2023 study in the British Medical Journal reported that adults aged 50 and over who lived with a partner had lower average glucose levels than those living alone, regardless of relationship quality. Separate research from Spanish universities in 2021 found that teenagers who regularly ate family meals without digital devices and with relaxed conversation were better at recognising fullness, a habit that may help reduce overeating and obesity. The Hebrew University researchers stressed that social closeness is not a substitute for medical care, healthy eating or exercise, but said it may be a more important factor in physical health than many people realise.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
