| Listen to our audio presentation: High Blood Pressure Information |
Recent findings presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention|Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2024 have cast new light on the health implications of time-restricted eating, a popular form of intermittent fasting. The study, involving over 20,000 U.S. adults, revealed a startling 91% higher risk of cardiovascular death for those adhering to an 8-hour eating window compared to those who ate over a 12-16 hour period.
Time-restricted eating, which confines food intake to a limited number of hours each day, has been praised for its potential to improve metabolic health markers like blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels. However, this study’s findings challenge the notion that such dietary patterns contribute to longevity, particularly in individuals with pre-existing heart disease or cancer.
The research, led by Victor Wenze Zhong, Ph.D., of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, delved into dietary patterns and health outcomes using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Death Index. It found that an 8-hour eating window was not only associated with increased cardiovascular mortality but also showed no benefit in reducing overall death rates.
Moreover, among cancer patients, a broader eating window of more than 16 hours daily correlated with lower cancer mortality, hinting at the complex interplay between eating duration and health outcomes.
The concept of time-restricted eating aligns with the broader historical evolution of dieting and fasting practices, which have been integral to human culture and health paradigms for centuries. Fasting, in various forms, has been practiced for spiritual, health, and therapeutic reasons across many cultures. The modern adaptation, like the 16:8 intermittent fasting model, is a scientific evolution of these ancient practices, aimed at optimizing health and longevity through metabolic improvements.