Eating jetlag linked to increased cardiovascular risk in men

Researchers led by nutritional scientists at Sorbonne University have identified a link between ‘eating jetlag’ and increased cardiovascular risk, particularly in men. The study, which utilized data from the NutriNet-Santé long-term study involving 104,806 adults, examined the discrepancy between meal timings on weekdays versus weekends.

‘Eating jetlag’ occurs when the midpoint of daily food intake shifts significantly between workdays and days off. The study observed participants over a median of 8.1 years, during which 2,368 new cardiovascular cases were recorded. Findings indicate that for men, every additional hour of eating jetlag is associated with a 14 percent higher relative risk of cardiovascular disease and a 21 percent higher risk of coronary heart disease.

While the research noted that men who shifted their meal windows forward by more than one hour on weekends faced higher risks, no statistically significant correlation was found for women. The study suggests that maintaining consistent meal times helps the body align metabolic processes with the internal circadian rhythm.