A recent extensive study involving 20,000 adults discovered that time-restricted eating, a form of intermittent fasting, can significantly increase the risk of death, casting doubt on the efficacy of healthy eating.
The study, published by the American Heart Association, revealed that restricting eating to less than eight hours a day raised the risk of cardiovascular death by an alarming 91%. Over a span of up to 17 years, the study found no decrease in the risk of any specific cause of death by restricting meals to eight hours or less.
Lead author Professor Victor Wenze Zhong expressed surprise at the study’s results, stating, “We had anticipated that adopting an 8-hour time-restricted diet long-term would lead to reduced cardiovascular disease risk and overall mortality.” He added, “Although this diet has been popular for its short-term benefits, our study revealed that compared to the typical 12 to 16-hour eating window, shorter meal times showed no association with living longer.”
Although the reasons behind the increased risk of cardiovascular death from time-restricted eating are not fully understood, it is suggested that muscle mass loss due to dietary restriction may be a contributing factor.
In recent years, time-restricted eating has gained popularity for its potential health benefits, such as aiding weight loss and improving blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Many people follow a 16:8 schedule, consuming all meals within an 8-hour window and fasting for 16 hours.
However, despite short-term benefits, recent findings suggest potential long-term negative effects of time-restricted eating, especially an 8-hour window, on cardiovascular health.
Experts caution that further research is needed to fully understand the impact of time-restricted eating and its implications for long-term health. Specific recommendations regarding time-restricted eating should be made with caution based on current evidence.
About our experts:
Dr. Victor Wenze Zhong is a professor and chair at the School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, specializing in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. He is actively involved in nutritional epidemiology research and serves on various councils related to heart health.
Dr. Christopher Gardner is a professor at Stanford University focusing on the health benefits of different dietary components and patterns. With extensive research in cardiovascular health and nutrition, he provides valuable insights into the impact of diet on overall well-being.
Source: www.sciencefocus.com
