Recent research from Japan shows that irregular dinner times significantly raise the risk of hemorrhagic stroke mortality. Experts recommend sticking to consistent supper schedules, ideally before 8 p.m., to support heart health.
Hemorrhagic stroke, one of the two main types of stroke, occurs due to intracerebral bleeding from a ruptured artery or blood vessel in the brain. This disruption in blood flow can kill brain cells and lead to lasting damage. High blood pressure often contributes by weakening arteries over time.
Accounting for about 15% of strokes, hemorrhagic stroke is less common than ischemic stroke, which happens when a blockage prevents blood from reaching part of the brain.
Published in September 2021 in the journal Nutrients, this Japanese study examined the link between dinner timing and cardiovascular risks, an understudied area. It followed 28,625 men and 43,213 women, all initially free of cardiovascular disease, divided into three groups: dinner before 8 p.m., after 8 p.m., or at irregular times.
Over nearly 20 years, researchers recorded 4,706 cardiovascular deaths. Key finding: irregular dinner times were strongly associated with higher hemorrhagic stroke mortality risk compared to eating before 8 p.m. No significant links emerged for other strokes, coronary disease, or cardiovascular issues overall.
“In this prospective cohort study, adopting an irregular supper time versus having dinner before 8:00 p.m. was associated with an increased risk of death from hemorrhagic stroke. We also observed a positive association between irregular supper time and stroke risk in people with a BMI of 23.0 to 24.9 kg/m2″, the researchers concluded.
