Time restricted eating (16:8) increases cardiovascular mortality risk by 91%, new epidemiological study suggests.
A study presented at the 2024 AHA Scientific Meeting in Chicago raised new concerns about the popular 16:8 fasting diet, also known as time-restricted eating. This fad diet has gained traction for its purported weight loss and longevity benefits, despite limited concrete evidence to support these health claims.
The epidemiological study analyzed data from over 20,000 U.S. adults from the NHANES survey and found that those who limited their eating to less than an 8-hour window per day had a 91% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those eating over a 12-16 hour window. Participants were followed for an average of 8 years, up to a maximum of 17 years.
Not only the study didn't find a reduced overall risk of death from any cause with time-restricted eating, but those adhering to less than 8 hours of eating per day had a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular death, a striking 91% increased cardiovascular mortality.
This risk was elevated not only in the general population but even more in those individuals with pre-existing heart disease. Among those with cardiovascular disease, those who limited their eating to less than an 8-hour window per day had a 2-fold higher risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to those eating over a 12-16 hour window. Interestingly, even those eating in a window of 8 to less than 10 hours had a 66% higher risk of death from heart disease or stroke compared to those eating over a 12-16 hour window. In patients with cancer the situation is even worst with a 3 fold increase in cardiovascular mortality in those who limited their eating to less than an 8-hour window per day. Contrarily, an eating duration exceeding 16 hours was associated with a 53% reduced cancer mortality in cancer patients.
This new study adds to the growing evidence that fasting could have negative health implications, echoing findings from previous research that I've discussed in earlier videos. The issue lies in people seeking quick solutions to multifaceted health issues. Many view diets like the 5:2 or 16:8 fasting regimens as magical fixes for weight and health problems. The misconception is that one can continue with an unhealthy diet but confine it to a limited eating window. However, as this study highlights, such practices could significantly elevate cardiovascular mortality risks.
