Researchers conducted a study on over 100,000 individuals for seven years and found that adjusting meal times could play a role in preventing heart diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes. They observed approximately 2,000 cases of cardiovascular diseases.

The study highlighted the significance of having an early breakfast, as delaying the first meal of the day was linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The risk increased by six per cent for each additional hour of delay, particularly in terms of cerebrovascular disease.

Interestingly, the research indicated that the number of meals did not significantly impact the risk. The focus was on the timing of meals rather than the frequency of eating.

Breakfast

The study also shed light on dinner timing, suggesting that having dinner after 9 pm was associated with a 28 per cent higher likelihood of experiencing a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). This connection was attributed to the alignment of natural eating patterns with earlier meals, impacting blood sugar and blood pressure.

The research suggested that late digestion might lead to elevated blood pressure during the evening, a time when it typically drops. This abnormal blood pressure could cause long-term damage to blood vessels, potentially resulting in blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.

It's important to note that the study emphasized the need for further research and acknowledged that meal timing might not have as significant an impact as maintaining a healthy diet.

The findings clarified that having dinner after 9 pm did not heighten the risk of coronary heart problems. However, the study revealed that each hour delay in dinner was associated with an 8 per cent increase in the likelihood of experiencing a stroke or TIA.

The study particularly highlighted the impact on women, who constituted nearly 80 per cent of the study participants. In women, delaying breakfast was associated with an 11 per cent increased risk of coronary heart disease.

Additionally, the research explored the potential health benefits of overnight fasting. It suggested a 7 per cent risk reduction in strokes for every additional hour of overnight fasting. This correlation was primarily related to individuals consuming dinner early and fasting longer before breakfast, as opposed to the strategy of late dining followed by a delayed breakfast.

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