If you’re one of those people who eat breakfast and dinner before 8 in the morning and night, we have good news for you. And for those who don’t, no worries, you can do better because a recent study conducted by the French research institute, the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (NRAE), indicated that having your first meal after 9 am is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, with a six per cent rise in risk for every hour of delay.

The study involved a sample of over 100,000 individuals tracked from 2009 to 2022.

Researchers discovered that consuming a late breakfast or dinner is connected to a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, it seems that a more extended period of fasting during the night is linked to a decreased risk of cerebrovascular diseases, such as stroke.

Having dinner after 9 pm showed a 28 per cent increase in the risk of cerebrovascular diseases, particularly strokes, compared to eating before 8 pm, especially among women.

The findings suggest that the timing of meals might play a role in mitigating cardiovascular disease. However, further research using alternative methodologies and diverse participant groups is necessary to validate these conclusions.

The research noted that adopting a more extended nightly fasting period and opting for earlier times for both breakfast and dinner could potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to Dr Vinoth, consultant – cardiology, CARE Hospitals, Hitec City, Hyderabad, it is because eating habits play a crucial role in cardiovascular health.

“A diet high in saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium can contribute to conditions like high blood pressure and atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases,” he told indianexpress.com in an interaction.

The timing of meals may impact cardiovascular health due to circadian rhythms, which is a 24-hour internal clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Aligning eating patterns with the body’s internal clock could improve metabolism and reduce stress on the cardiovascular system, as suggested by the study.

As such, you can follow a circadian diet, which is a meal plan designed to support the body’s natural circadian rhythm, hormone production, and other bodily functions. This diet is based on the idea that by eating at certain times of the day, we can optimise our metabolism and improve overall health.

Consistent meal timing can help regulate metabolism and blood sugar levels, promoting overall health. “Irregular eating patterns may disrupt circadian rhythms, potentially leading to weight gain, insulin resistance, and other health issues over time,” added Dr Vinoth.

Reference Link

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/food-wine/meal-timings-circadian-diet-heart-health-9104729/