Restricting Food Intake to Daytime Hours May Mitigate Cardiovascular Risks in Night Shift Workers: Study
Why in News?
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The study, published in Nature Communications, presents strong evidence that timing of food intake — not just sleep — plays a critical role in cardiovascular health, especially for night shift workers. It suggests that eating in alignment with the body’s natural circadian rhythm could be a simple but powerful strategy to reduce heart-related risks, even in high-risk groups like night workers. The findings could lead to new dietary guidelines for shift workers and others at risk of circadian misalignment.
Important Key Points:
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Shift Work and Heart Health Risks:
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Night shift work is linked to serious health risks, particularly cardiovascular issues, due to circadian misalignment (misalignment between internal body clock and behavioral cycles).
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Study on Food Timing:
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A new study by Mass General Brigham (US) and University of Southampton (UK) found that eating only during the daytime may prevent cardiovascular risks associated with night work.
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Key Findings:
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Participants who ate during nighttime experienced increases in:
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Blood pressure
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Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (linked to blood clots)
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Autonomic nervous system stress markers
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In contrast, participants who ate only during the daytime showed no such increase in risk factors.
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Highly Controlled Study Design:
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20 healthy participants were studied under a “constant routine protocol”:
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No access to natural light or time cues (clocks, phones, etc.)
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Awake for 32 hours in a dimly lit environment
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Identical hourly snacks
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Assigned to either daytime-only or nighttime eating during simulated night shifts
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Both groups had identical nap schedules, eliminating sleep as a variable
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Practical Implications:
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Daytime eating may help:
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Night shift workers
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People with insomnia or sleep disorders
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Individuals with irregular sleep schedules
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Frequent travelers across time zones
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