Cardiovascular effects
Skipping meals at work is an unhealthy habit, explains Dr Dixit Garg, an interventional cardiologist at Manipal Hospital in Gurugram, India. This is because it causes more fat and protein to be broken down for energy, which can have some adverse effects on your heart.
Increased sympathetic activity leads to changes in the small blood vessels, increasing the heart's ability to contract and subsequently increasing blood pressure. Over time, this can lead to increased fibrous tissue in the heart and even cell death.
This constant state of stress can promote inflammation, a contributor to heart disease. Poor diet and absorption lead to poor blood sugar control and stress on the body's regulatory systems.
This can lead to insulin resistance – a major cause of diabetes and other metabolic problems.
According to Dr. Dixit Garg, blood sugar levels need to be maintained stable through regular, balanced meals. Therefore, heart health requires stable blood sugar levels.
To avoid large fluctuations in blood sugar, we should eat smaller meals more frequently. This avoids putting extra stress on the cardiovascular system.
Sharing the same view, Dr. Shantanu Dhari, a clinician at HCL Healthcare (India) added that skipping meals can significantly increase the risk of heart disease due to the complex relationship between metabolism, stress and cardiovascular health.
When you skip meals, especially during long working hours, it leads to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, putting stress on the body's sugar regulation process.
This habit can also lead to sudden spikes in blood sugar, promoting the development of atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Impact on psychology and emotions
In addition to the direct physical effects mentioned above, fasting while working also affects your psychology and emotions.
Dr. Dixit Garg points out that a drop in energy can lead to restlessness, anxiety and difficulty concentrating at work.
This is why it is so important not to neglect regular balanced meals to maintain physical and mental health, as well as ensure that your heart stays healthy in the long run.
Regularly skipping meals can also contribute to weight gain, especially belly fat, which is closely linked to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.
The body's response to prolonged fasting involves the release of cortisol, a stress hormone.
“Elevated cortisol levels increase blood pressure and contribute to hypertension, putting additional stress on the cardiovascular system,” warns Dr. Shantanu Dhari.
