According to the health page Everyday Health, researchers at Fudan University (China) have just discovered that some seemingly harmless eating habits can affect blood fat levels over time.
The study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition tracked more than 30,000 adults for 4 years. Participants were evaluated on breakfast habits, dinner time, and periodic blood fat levels.
The results showed that people who regularly skip breakfast and eat dinner late tended to increase LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) more than those who maintain regular meal times.
At the same time, this group also recorded increased triglyceride levels - a form of fat in the blood - while HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) tends to decrease over time. These are all changes that are not beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Researchers found this effect more pronounced in women, overweight people, obese people and those who are less active.
According to experts, the above results may be related to "biological rhythm nutrition" - the field of studying the impact of eating time on health.
The human body works according to the natural biological clock. Morning is the time when the ability to use insulin and metabolize energy works more effectively. When skipping breakfast, the body can disrupt its circadian rhythm, thereby affecting the metabolism of fat and sugar.
Meanwhile, eating dinner too late forces the body to process food at a time when energy metabolism has declined. Some previous studies have also shown that eating late is associated with the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.
Experts note that occasionally eating dinner late or skipping breakfast is not a direct cause of the disease. However, when these habits last for many years, they can contribute to worsening blood fat levels and increasing cardiovascular risk.
To support cardiovascular health, experts recommend eating breakfast regularly for a few hours after waking up, limiting eating within 2-3 hours before going to bed and trying to maintain a stable meal schedule every day.
In addition, a diet rich in green vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish and nuts, combined with regular exercise, are still important factors to help control cholesterol and protect long-term health.
