A new study presented at an American Heart Association conference in Chicago suggests that restricting eating to eight hours or less a day, a form of intermittent fasting, may increase the risk of dying prematurely from heart disease in the long term. The analysis of data from over 20,000 adults showed that those who consumed food within an eight-hour time frame were nearly twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease compared to those who spread their eating out over 12 to 16 hours a day. Intermittent fasting has become popular for its potential health benefits, including weight loss and improved regulation of blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, resting heart rate, and inflammation.
The study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the National Death Index, focusing on participants aged 20 or older. Over an eight-year period, there were 2,797 deaths, with 840 attributed to heart disease and 643 to cancer. The researchers found that individuals practicing time-restricted eating were 91% more likely to die from heart disease compared to those eating over a longer period. Despite these findings, senior author Victor Wenze Zhong emphasizes that it is premature to provide specific recommendations based on this study alone, and further research is needed.
According to nutrition experts, the study results may be related to how intermittent fasting influences cravings and food choices. Restricting eating to an eight-hour window could lead to extreme hunger, binging on unhealthy foods, and increased cravings. Mark Mattson, a leading researcher on intermittent fasting, points out that the study has limitations, such as relying on two days of dietary recall and potentially overlooking calorie consumption. The study does not establish a direct causal link between restricted eating hours and increased risk of death.
Most clinical trials on restricted eating have focused on short-term impacts, with benefits like improved insulin resistance, reduced belly fat, and healthier blood lipid profiles. Dr. Sean P. Heffron notes that the data for the new study were collected when restricted eating was not as prevalent, making it unclear why some participants ate within an eight-hour window. Dr. Deepak Bhatt also highlights the study’s reliance on imperfect dietary recall, suggesting the need for detailed real-time dietary information for more accurate research results. The study’s surprising findings underscore the complexity of intermittent fasting and the importance of further investigation.
In conclusion, the study raises questions about the long-term effects of time-restricted eating on cardiovascular health. While some experts caution against rigid fasting schedules that could lead to unhealthy food choices, others stress the need for more comprehensive research to understand the relationship between eating patterns and mortality risk. The findings highlight the need for personalized approaches to intermittent fasting and the importance of considering individual health factors in determining dietary recommendations. Future studies should aim to gather more detailed and accurate dietary information to enhance the understanding of how eating patterns impact overall health outcomes.
