Scientists warn not to eat after 9 pm

A recent study shows that eating after 9pm may increase the risk of strokes and mini-strokes, shedding light on the potential health effects of meal timing.

Looking at over 100,000 people in France, the research focused on participants’ meal plans through extensive food diaries. Those who ate dinner after 9pm were found to be 28% more likely to have a stroke or mini-stroke compared to those who ate dinner before 8pm.

The study, which lasted an average of seven years, identified about 2,000 cases of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes.

Specifically, the research highlighted the importance of meal timing, suggesting that our evolutionary patterns favor earlier eating. While animal studies suggest possible associations between late-night digestion and elevated blood sugar and pressure, more research is needed to draw definitive links.

Dr. Bernard Srour, the study’s senior author, highlighted the potential health risks associated with eating late at night, particularly for people who fit their eating hours into busy schedules.

The findings highlight the importance of considering meal timing as a factor that can affect health, particularly among women, who made up nearly 80% of study participants.

The study, published in Nature Communications, delves into the relationship between breakfast and dinner times and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

While no increased risk of coronary heart problems was seen for those who ate dinner after 9 p.m., each hour of delay in dinner was associated with an 8% increased risk of strokes or mini-strokes.

In addition, each hour of delay in breakfast was associated with a 6% higher risk of various cardiovascular diseases, with significant implications for the women participants.

The study also supported earlier research suggesting that extended overnight fasting may contribute to better health outcomes, particularly for early dinner eaters.