Swedish study links long fasting gaps to chronic disease in older adults

A long-term study conducted in Sweden suggests that long gaps between meals may be associated with a faster accumulation of chronic diseases in older adults. Researchers from the Karolinska Institutet analyzed data from nearly 3,000 individuals aged 60 and older as part of the Swedish National Study on Ageing and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K).

The findings, published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, indicate that participants who went 14 to 24 hours without eating typically developed chronic conditions more rapidly than those who ate more frequently. This correlation was most pronounced in individuals aged 78 and older. The study noted a stronger link to cardiovascular issues, such as heart failure and stroke, as well as neuropsychiatric conditions like depression and dementia, though no significant link was found with musculoskeletal diseases.

Researchers emphasized that these results do not prove fasting causes disease, but they suggest that dietary advice optimized for younger adults may not be safely applied to older populations. Aging affects digestion, nutrient absorption, and blood sugar control, which may alter how the body responds to intermittent fasting.