Starting the day with breakfast that ends earlier and finishing dinner sooner may influence heart health. A recent study published in Nature Communications explored how meal timing relates to cardiovascular risk, using data from a large Canadian and American population. The study tracked eating patterns and health outcomes to understand whether when meals are eaten matters for heart health.
Researchers analyzed information from a substantial group of participants in the NutriNet-Santé study, numbering over 103,000 in total. The cohort included a majority of women and had an average age in the early forties. The central finding was that late breakfast timing correlated with a higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease, increasing the risk by about 6 percent for each hour the breakfast was delayed. To illustrate, someone who regularly eats breakfast at 9 AM faced a roughly 6 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease than someone who eats at 8 AM, when other factors are similar.
In terms of dinner timing, the data suggested that eating dinner at 9 PM or later was linked to a notably higher stroke risk—about 28 percent greater than those who finished dinner before 8 PM. The association appeared more pronounced among women in the study group, underscoring possible sex-specific effects or interactions with other lifestyle factors.
To ensure the results were robust, the research team controlled for a range of variables that could bias outcomes. They adjusted for sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, and marital status, as well as the quality of nutrition, overall lifestyle choices, and sleep quality. Despite the careful analysis, the authors note that further studies are needed to confirm these associations and to understand the mechanisms behind them.
Additionally, prior research has highlighted broader health implications of meal timing, including potential effects on metabolic health and cognitive function. These findings contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting that when people eat may be as important as what they eat for certain health outcomes. In practice, individuals in Canada and the United States who are considering adjustments to their eating schedule might experiment with earlier breakfasts and earlier dinners as part of a balanced, evidence-informed approach to heart health. As more studies emerge, clinicians and researchers will better clarify the role of meal timing in disease prevention and overall well-being.
It should be noted that the reported associations do not prove causation. The observed links could be influenced by unmeasured factors such as physical activity patterns, stress levels, or other daily routines. Health professionals advise a holistic view of cardiovascular risk that includes regular physical activity, a nutrient-rich diet, adequate sleep, and mindful eating practices. When combined with individualized medical guidance, adjusting meal times could be one of several strategies to support heart health over the long term.