This is dangerous for men – what's wrong with shifting meal times

A large-scale eight-year study involving over 100,000 participants has shown that shifting meal times on weekends ("food jet lag") significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in men. Each hour of difference between weekday and weekend schedules was associated with a 14% increase in overall risk and a 21% increase in the risk of coronary heart disease. No significant link was found in women.

A new large-scale study published in the journal Communications Medicine warns of the dangers of "food jet lag" — shifting meal times on weekends. An eight-year observation of over 100,000 participants (average age 42) showed that men who change their eating schedule on Saturdays and Sundays have a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Each hour of difference between weekday and weekend meal schedules was associated with a 14% increase in overall risk and a 21% increase in the risk of coronary heart disease. The strongest correlation was observed in those who ate breakfast or lunch earlier than usual on weekends. No statistically significant link was found in women. Scientists attribute this to the inherent vulnerability of the male body to heart pathologies and differences in lifestyle. The authors emphasize that for cardiovascular health, not only quality food is critically important, but also strict regularity of the meal schedule.