Skipping breakfast? Study says fasting for over 8 hours could double heart disease risk

Many believe that skipping breakfast could be game-changing for weight loss purposes. However, little does one realise that this could in truth be a huge mistake, especially for the heart.

According to a study, people who followed intermittent fasting were at a higher risk of suffering from heart disease. This is contrary to popular belief that this routine could help with weight loss, metabolism, diabetes management, and several other benefits. It was found that people who ate in an eight-hour window were 91% more likely to die than those who ate normally over 12 to 16 hours.

How does fasting for over 8 hours affect health?

For experts from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, it was a surprising discovery that people who followed a time-restricted eating pattern were more likely to die from heart disease. It was also found that this type of diet is popular for its short-term benefits.

But in the long run, there are not many benefits on offer that could be linked with longevity. Researchers said that it is also crucial for patients, especially heart patients, to be well aware of the link between an eight-hour eating window and an increased risk of heart disease and death. Statistics show that heart disease is the most common cause of death globally.

What is intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting is a diet regime that involves eating and fasting in fixed time windows during the day. The most common form of this regime is 16 hours of fasting and 8 hours of eating window. The regimen has gained prominence among influencers and celebrities for its weight loss and metabolism-boosting benefits.