A recent study published in the Nature Communications journal, reviewing data from over 100,000 individuals over seven years, has highlighted the critical role of breakfast and dinner in maintaining heart health. The research identified that having breakfast and dinner at specific times is essential, as deviation increases the risk of stroke.
The comprehensive review, encompassing over 2,000 cases of heart-related issues, revealed that the danger of heart diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, significantly rises when the first meal of the day, breakfast, is delayed. Notably, the study found that a delay in breakfast correlated with up to a 6% increase in cerebrovascular disease.
Surprisingly, the frequency of meals per day did not pose a significant risk, according to the research. Instead, the timing of meals emerged as a crucial factor. Consuming dinner after 9 PM was associated with a notable 28% increase in the risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), possibly due to elevated blood sugar and pressure levels caused by late-night eating.
The heightened blood pressure during the evening, which typically decreases at night, could lead to potential damage to blood vessels, increasing the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. However, further research is required to delve deeper into these findings.
Women appear to face a higher risk, with 80% of women showing vulnerability to these effects compared to men. In contrast, the impact on men seems less pronounced. The study also emphasized that a delayed breakfast for men could elevate the risk of coronary heart disease by 11%.
These findings underscore the importance of not just the number of meals but also the timing, especially for breakfast and dinner, in mitigating cardiovascular risks. Further research is needed to explore these associations and their gender-specific implications.
