When you should stop eating in the evening to protect your heart

A new study has found that refraining from eating for at least three hours before sleep can improve nighttime blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar control. The study involved 39 overweight individuals. Those who stopped eating three hours before bed saw a 3.5% reduction in nighttime blood pressure and a 5% reduction in heart rate. Experts attribute this to alignment with circadian rhythms.

A new study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology has found that refraining from eating for at least three hours before sleep can improve nighttime blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar control. The study involved 39 overweight or obese individuals. Participants followed one of two nighttime fasting regimens for 7.5 weeks: a 13- to 16-hour fast or a habitual 11- to 13-hour fast. Those who stopped eating three hours before bed experienced a 3.5% reduction in nighttime blood pressure and a 5% reduction in heart rate. Experts, including Phyllis Zee, director of the Center for Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Medicine, attribute this to alignment with circadian rhythms. Specialists recommend leaving at least two to three hours between the last meal and sleep to improve sleep quality and cardiovascular function. This article is informational and references the opinions of several dietitians and doctors.