A recent study involving over 20,000 adults revealed that 8-hour time-restricted eating or intermittent fasting increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality by 91%.

The findings are still at the preliminary stage and are yet to be peer-reviewed & published to determine the validity of the study. This is only an abstract, and we do not know how reliable the study design was.

Also, 20,000 adults is a large sample size, and controlling the variables is as difficult as controlling the eating habits of 20,000 people. The report appears to be based on self-reported dietary information, which is not very reliable.

Even though the study found a link between an 8-hour eating window and cardiovascular mortality, it doesn’t necessarily imply that time-restricted eating causes cardiovascular death. Smoking, alcohol use, intake of fatty & processed food, a sedentary lifestyle, and many other factors can also contribute to cardiovascular disease.

Stay calm; there’s no need to worry.

Therefore, until the research is validated, I advise those who follow an intermittent fasting routine to stick to it. Be mindful of what you eat and have a balanced diet. Remember to stay away from unhealthy food choices even after fasting.

I advise those who smoke or have high blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol to undergo regular health screenings, as prevention is always better than cure.

#GotabhayaRanasinghe #Cardiologist #IntermittentFasting #HeartHealth