Daytime Eating May Reduce Heart Risks Linked to Night Shifts: Research
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Synopsis
A new study highlights that eating exclusively during the daytime can significantly reduce cardiovascular risks for night shift workers. The research, conducted by experts from Mass General Brigham and the University of Southampton, reveals the importance of meal timing in maintaining heart health, particularly for those affected by circadian misalignment.
Key Takeaways
- Daytime eating may reduce cardiovascular risks for night workers.
- Researchers emphasize the significance of food timing over sleep timing.
- Night shifts are linked to various health issues due to circadian misalignment.
- Study findings suggest potential benefits for individuals with sleep disorders.
- Further research is needed on the long-term effects of meal timing.
New Delhi, April 8 (NationPress) A recent study has revealed that consuming food exclusively during daylight hours may help mitigate cardiovascular risks associated with shift work. While sleep timing has been extensively studied, researchers from Mass General Brigham in the US and the University of Southampton in the UK emphasized that the timing of meals could significantly influence heart health.
Previous research has indicated that night shifts are linked to various serious health problems, especially concerning the heart, largely due to circadian misalignment—the disconnect between our behavioral patterns and our internal biological clock.
The team identified that cardiovascular risk factors, such as markers of the autonomic nervous system, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (which heightens the risk of thrombosis), and blood pressure levels escalated following night work.
In contrast, these risk factors did not change for participants who restricted their eating to the daytime.
“Limiting or avoiding nighttime meals could be beneficial for night workers, individuals experiencing insomnia or sleep-wake disorders, those with irregular sleep cycles, and frequent travelers across time zones,” the research team stated in their publication in the journal Nature Communications.
The study involved 20 healthy young adults who were isolated from time cues for two weeks, devoid of windows, watches, or electronics.
Participants adhered to a “constant routine protocol”, a controlled laboratory environment designed to separate the impacts of circadian rhythms from environmental and behavioral factors (like sleep/wake and light/dark cycles).
Within this setup, participants remained awake for 32 hours in a dimly lit room, kept a stable body posture, and consumed identical snacks hourly.
Subsequently, they underwent simulated night work and were divided into two groups: one that ate at night (typical for night shift workers) and another that only ate during the day.
Crucially, both groups maintained identical nap schedules, ensuring that any observed differences were not influenced by sleep timing.
“Our study meticulously controlled for every conceivable factor that could impact the outcomes, allowing us to conclude that it is the timing of food intake that influences cardiovascular risk factors,” remarked Sarah Chellappa, the lead author and an associate professor at the University of Southampton.
Although more research is needed to determine the long-term health implications of eating during the day versus at night, the findings are encouraging and suggest that adjusting meal timing could enhance health.
