Stop eating 3 hours before bed to improve heart health
Why it matters: With only 6.8% of U.S. adults having optimal cardiometabolic health, this research offers a practical, lifestyle-based strategy to combat chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, putting heart health back in the hands of individuals.
- Northwestern University Researchers found that time-restricted eating, when aligned with sleep-wake cycles, improves cardiometabolic health markers, suggesting a readily accessible, non-pharmacological approach.
- The Study published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, emphasizes that coordinating fasting with the body's natural rhythms enhances the connection between heart function, metabolism, and sleep.
- Dr. Phyllis Zee, director of the Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine, notes that the timing of eating relative to sleep is critical for realizing the physiological benefits of time-restricted eating, moving beyond just calorie restriction.
A new Northwestern University study reveals that aligning eating schedules with sleep cycles can significantly improve heart health. Middle-aged and older adults at risk for cardiometabolic disease saw improvements in blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar by stopping food intake three hours before bed and extending their overnight fast by two hours, highlighting the importance of when we eat, not just what or how much.
