Chicago, IL – Time-restricted eating, a popular weight-loss method also known as intermittent fasting, has recently been linked to a significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular death. A study conducted by the American Heart Association (AHA) revealed that individuals following an eight-hour time-restricted eating regimen had a 91% higher chance of dying from heart disease compared to those who had a longer eating window of 12 to 16 hours.
Presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention│Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions in Chicago, the study, which has not yet undergone peer review, involved analyzing the habits of 20,000 adults adhering to different eating schedules.
Time-restricted eating involves fasting and eating at specific times, with variations like the 16/8 method, where individuals fast for 16 hours and eat within an eight-hour window. Previous studies have shown that this method can improve key heart health indicators such as blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels.
However, senior study author Victor Wenze Zhong highlighted the lack of long-term research on the effects of time-restricted eating, emphasizing the importance of understanding its impact on overall health, specifically mortality related to cardiovascular disease.
Researchers from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China examined data from the 2003-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) in conjunction with causes of death recorded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) up to December 2019. Their findings indicated that individuals consuming all daily meals within less than an eight-hour window faced the highest risk (91%) of cardiovascular death.
Despite the potential benefits of time-restricted eating, experts like cardiologist Dr. Lou Vadlamani caution against drawing definitive conclusions from this study alone. The limitations of the research, including reliance on self-reported dietary habits and lack of information on participants’ overall lifestyle and eating patterns, suggest a need for more comprehensive investigations.
Registered dietitians emphasize the importance of personalized nutrition advice and urge individuals with medical conditions to consult healthcare professionals before embarking on any restrictive diet, including intermittent fasting. The study underscores the complexity of dietary interventions and the need for a holistic approach to health and well-being.