A recent study, presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention │ Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions 2024 in Chicago from March 18-21, has unveiled concerning findings regarding time-restricted eating (TRE). The research indicates that individuals who confined their daily food intake to an 8-hour window faced a staggering 91% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. This risk escalation extended to individuals with heart disease or cancer. Surprisingly, despite the popularity of TRE, the study did not establish any association between this eating pattern and increased longevity.
The study, conducted on over 20,000 American adults using data from the 2003-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), emphasized the potential risks associated with TRE. Notably, those with existing cardiovascular disease who adopted an eating window of 8 to 10 hours were found to have a 66% higher risk of succumbing to stroke or heart disease. Moreover, while TRE failed to mitigate overall mortality risk, a reduced risk of death from cancer was observed in individuals with the disease who restricted their eating window to less than 16 hours per day.
Dr. Victor Wenze Zhong, the senior author of the study, highlighted the importance of these findings, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions. The study underscores the necessity for a personalized approach to dietary recommendations aligned with an individual’s health status and scientific evidence.
However, experts caution against interpreting these findings as a causal relationship between intermittent fasting and cardiovascular death. While acknowledging the statistical correlation, they emphasize the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and potential confounding factors.
In light of these findings, nutritionists advocate for a balanced and mindful approach to eating, emphasizing moderation and healthy food choices over extreme dietary patterns. The Mediterranean-DASH diet, renowned for its cardiovascular benefits, emerges as a recommended dietary approach, emphasizing the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and the avoidance of processed foods, added sugars, and excess sodium.
Ultimately, while TRE may offer certain benefits when practiced appropriately, individuals are advised to prioritize overall dietary quality and lifestyle factors to mitigate cardiovascular risk and promote long-term health and well-being.
