A new study presented at the American Heart Association conference in Chicago has found that intermittent fasting, specifically time-restricted eating, may increase the risk of cardiovascular death when practiced over several years.
The study, led by Dr. Victor Wenze Zhong, analyzed data from over 20,000 adults and found that participants who consumed all their food within an 8-hour window were almost twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease compared to those who ate over a standard 12-16 hour period.
“We had expected that long-term adoption of eight-hour restricted eating would be associated with lower risk of cardiovascular death and even all-cause death,” Dr. Zhong said. “However, our findings suggest otherwise.”
The study’s results showed that participants who practiced time-restricted eating had a 91% increased risk of cardiovascular death. Dr. Zhong notes that possible explanations for this finding include the intermittent-fasting group having less lean muscle mass, which has been associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular death in previous research.
While the study’s findings may come as a surprise, Dr. Zhong stresses that it’s “too early to give a specific recommendation on time-restricted eating based on our study alone.” He suggests that practicing intermittent fasting for a short period, such as three to six months, may still have benefits for weight reduction and improving cardiometabolic health.
However, Dr. Zhong recommends caution for individuals who have been practicing 16:8 intermittent fasting for years. “Our study suggests that long-term adoption of time-restricted eating may have unintended consequences,” he said.
The study’s findings highlight the importance of considering the potential long-term effects of intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating. While these diets have gained popularity for their potential health benefits, more research is needed to fully understand their impact on cardiovascular health.
“We had expected that long-term adoption of eight-hour restricted eating would be associated with lower risk of cardiovascular death and even all-cause death… However, our findings suggest otherwise.” – says Dr. Victor Wenze Zhong.
Source: Today’s News
