Food jet lag linked to increased cardiovascular risk

Research coordinated by the Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team at Sorbonne University suggests that ‘food jet lag’—the discrepancy between weekday and weekend meal timings—may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Analyzing data from 104,806 participants in the NutriNet-Santé cohort between 2009 and 2023, researchers categorized meal timing shifts into three groups: ‘advance’ (earlier meals on weekends), ‘regular’ (consistent timing), and ‘delay’ (later meals on weekends). The study, published in Communications Medicine, indicates that these disruptions to the body's internal biological clock can have significant health implications, particularly for men.

While late-night dining is a known risk factor, this study highlights how the shift in routine during days off can further destabilize circadian rhythms and impact long-term heart health.