Lifestyle habits like sleep and meal timing linked to longevity

New research highlights the significant impact of daily habits, specifically meal timing and sleep duration, on longevity and mortality risks.

A study published in the ‘European Journal of Clinical Nutrition’ analyzed data from over 31,000 adults in the US. The findings indicate a correlation between breakfast timing and death risk. Individuals who consumed their first meal after 12:00 PM faced a 29% higher risk of death compared to those eating between 7:00 and 8:00 AM. Notably, the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases was 46% higher for the group eating breakfast in the afternoon.

Separately, research published in ‘Sleep Advances’ by scientists at Oregon Health & Science University suggests that sleep duration may be a stronger predictor of longevity than diet or exercise. The study, which analyzed US survey data from 2019 to 2025, found that getting fewer than seven hours of sleep per night is significantly linked to shorter lifespans. While factors like smoking and obesity showed even stronger correlations with mortality, researchers emphasize that aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep is critical for long-term health.