Eating with a loved one may help keep blood sugar levels more stable after a meal, according to a new study. Researchers found that people who ate a standardized carbohydrate meal with their partners had smaller spikes in blood glucose and returned to normal levels more quickly than those who ate alone. The study, led by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and published in Science Advances, introduces the concept of "social physiology" to explain these findings. This idea suggests that the human body functions more efficiently when in the presence of people it is close to. Traditionally, scientists have viewed the body as an isolated system that regulates itself independently. However, Professor Shir Atzil, the lead author of the study, said the findings challenge that view. "Our research shows that human physiology is inherently social," she explained. "Being close to someone you love lowers the physical energy your body spends on regulating itself." The effects of social connection extended beyond blood sugar regulation. The study found that being in the company of loved ones also improved the body’s ability to regulate temperature during cold exposure and reduced stress responses in both adults and infants. These benefits occurred even without physical touch, and the researchers said they could not be fully explained by reduced stress alone. This study builds on earlier research that has linked companionship with better blood sugar control. A 2023 study published in the British Medical Journal found that adults over 50 who lived with partners had lower average glucose levels than those living alone, regardless of the quality of the relationship. Similarly, a 2021 study from Spanish universities found that adolescents who shared regular family meals—without digital distractions and with meaningful conversation—were better at recognizing when they were full, which can help prevent obesity. While the researchers emphasized that social closeness is not a replacement for medical care, proper nutrition, or exercise, they noted that the people around an individual play a significant, previously overlooked role in their health. "Blood sugar regulation is not just about what we eat, but who we eat with," Prof. Atzil said. "Our relationships have an active biological role in our physical wellbeing."