Late Meals Increase Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), a prevalent term encompassing heart and blood vessel conditions, stands as the primary global cause of mortality. With an annual toll of approximately 18 million lives, heart attacks and strokes contribute to nearly 80 percent of these fatalities. While the precise origins of CVD remain elusive, several factors amplify the susceptibility to this disease. Understanding these risk factors is crucial, as the accumulation of such elements heightens the likelihood of developing CVD.

Behavioral risk factors, including an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol abuse, play a pivotal role in elevating blood pressure, glucose, and lipid levels. Additionally, these factors contribute to overweight and obesity, collectively increasing the risk of CVDs. Among these, unhealthy diets alone account for an estimated 8 million CVD-related deaths annually.

A groundbreaking study by researchers from Spanish and French institutions sheds light on a previously underestimated risk factor for CVD—meal timing. Beyond unhealthy diets, the timing of our meals has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The fast-paced nature of modern lifestyles has given rise to unhealthy eating habits, such as skipping breakfast, consuming fast foods during the day, and having late-night meals.

This study reveals that mistimed meals, particularly delayed first and last meals of the day, are associated with a higher overall risk of cardiovascular diseases. Aligning with a growing body of literature, the research emphasizes the benefits of consuming meals earlier in the morning and evening, positively impacting metabolism.

Observational and interventional studies have consistently highlighted the importance of breakfast for cardiometabolic health, while skipping it correlates with overweight and obesity—established risk factors for CVD and diabetes. Late-night eating, as evidenced by prospective studies, is linked to cardiovascular risk factors like arterial stiffness, obesity, and an imbalance of lipoproteins and triglycerides, contributing to a higher risk of coronary heart disease.

In this cohort study, which included 103,389 adults from the ongoing NutriNet-Santé study in France, researchers explored the relationship between meal timing and cardiovascular disease risk. Analyzing dietary records submitted online by participants, they discovered that delaying the first meal in the morning increased the risk of overall cardiovascular disease. Similarly, delaying the last meal in the evening correlated with an 8 percent higher risk of cerebrovascular disease. Late-night eaters, specifically those consuming their last meal after 9 pm, faced a 28 percent higher risk of cerebrovascular disease compared to those who finished eating before 8 pm.

Surprisingly, the number of meals consumed during the day did not significantly impact the overall risk of cardiovascular disease or coronary heart disease. The study underscores the potential benefits of adopting earlier eating patterns and advocates for a longer nighttime fasting period with an early last meal, emphasizing the importance of preventing cardiovascular disease rather than skipping breakfast.

While the study has notable strengths, such as a large participant pool and extended follow-up, the researchers emphasize the need for more research to personalize conclusions based on individual preferences, lifestyles, and health characteristics.

One plausible explanation for the lower cardiovascular risk associated with earlier meal times lies in the impact of meal timing on circadian rhythms. Research suggests that the daily eating and fasting cycle help synchronize circadian rhythms in vital organs, including the liver, heart, kidney, and pancreas, thereby influencing the body's internal clock—a crucial aspect of maintaining cardiovascular health.

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