Sticking to these meal times may prevent heart attack
Eating your meal generates the energy that you need for bodily functions. However, eating them on time is another thing necessary to keep your body functioning in optimum quality. A recent study that was published in the journal Nature Communications suggests that eating meals early can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers examined data from 103,389 persons who took part in the NutriNet-Santé study, with a median age of 42.
Here’s what the study says
According to this study, eating your first meal later (after 9 AM or before 8 AM) and your last meal of the day (after 9 PM versus before 8 PM) was linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular events, particularly in women. The study findings point to a possible advantage of implementing earlier eating schedules and combining an early evening meal with a longer period of fasting at night, as opposed to skipping breakfast, in the prevention of CVD.
Irregular meal schedules and their effects on health
The following results were noted by the researchers in relation to meal schedules between 8 AM and 9 PM
There was a correlation between postponing breakfast and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
The risk of cerebrovascular illness increased by 6% for every extra hour of delay.
A 28% increased risk of cerebrovascular illness was linked to eating one's final meal after 9 p.m. as opposed to eating before 8 p.m.
There was no discernible extra risk connected to the frequency of eating.
Eating an earlier evening meal instead of delaying breakfast was linked to a 7% decreased risk of cerebrovascular illness for every hour that was spent fasting at night.
What we need to understand about meal timings
Meal timings are directly related to circadian rhythms which are "cyclic endogenous (built-in) biological patterns that follow a 24-hour cycle that regulates the timing of physiology, metabolism, and behavior. When your meal timings are out of sync with your body's circadian rhythm, fat-storing hormones may surge, leading to weight gain.
Eating a circadian rhythm diet is the solution
A circadian rhythm diet is centered on when breakfast, lunch, and dinner should be eaten. The experts advise having your first meal of the day by 8 AM and your last meal by no later than 8 PM. Our circadian cycle is triggered by the sun, which is where it all begins. This pattern anticipates us to fast during the night, take our final meal at sunset, and eat during the day when the sun is shining. Having stated that meal times should be taken into account in connection to our general health and should not be delayed.
