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The timing of meals plays a crucial role in cardiovascular health, and delaying the first and last meals of the day may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), particularly in women, according to the results of a large prospective study.
Conducted as part of the ongoing NutriNet-Santé cohort study in France, the research involved 103,389 participants, with an average baseline age of 42.6 years and 79% women. Participants provided detailed information on meal timings, number of eating occasions, and nighttime fasting duration, along with socio-demographic and lifestyle data.
Over a median follow-up of 7.2 years, 2036 cases of overall CVD, 988 cases of cerebrovascular disease (stroke, transient ischemic attack), and 1071 cases of coronary heart diseases were reported. The study found significant associations between meal timing and CVD risks.
- Each additional hour delaying the first meal of the day was associated with a higher risk of overall CVD, with the association being stronger in women than men.
- Each additional hour delaying the last meal was linked to an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease, particularly for those having a last meal after 9 pm.
- No associations were found between the number of eating occasions and CVD risks.
- Longer nighttime fasting periods were associated with a lower risk of cerebrovascular disease.
The authors suggest that adopting earlier eating patterns, coupling a longer nighttime fasting period with an early last meal, could be beneficial for cardiovascular disease prevention. However, the study has limitations, such as the lack of information on factors like shift work and exposure to night light, potentially influencing circadian rhythms. Additionally, participants in the NutriNet-Santé cohort may not fully represent the general population.
The study, led by Anna Palomar-Cros from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, was published online in Nature Communications on December 14, 2023. The NutriNet-Santé study is supported by various health organizations, and the authors reported no relevant conflicts of interest.
