Eating once a day is better than eating once every other day for reducing your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, finding a new study has found.
The study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in early March, found only eating at least four times a week was linked to a 25 per cent lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, a significantly lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and a 41 per cent lower risk of developing diabetes.
Previous studies in the UK have suggested that eating twice a day is better than eating five times a week for a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
However, although there are some limitations to these findings, the researchers say these large population-based studies show a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance compared with two-a-day eating.
Dr. George Cheney of the Darts Card Clinic Foundation Research Trust and NHS Lothians Trust NHS Foundation Trust in Singapore, which funded the study, said:
Overall, the results are very interesting. When considering the evidence we found, we’d say these conclusions were likely due to the sheer size of the sample of study participants provided for the analysis. The study’s findings were robust across the sample. If further investigations confirm or challenge these findings, it will be important to consider these results in clinical guidelines around diabetes, cardiovascular disease and both type 2 and non-type 2 diabetes.”
Dr. Christopher J. Diassa, Cardiologist at St James’ Hospital in London and lecturer at Britain’s National Meninga Institute NHS Foundation Trust, who also contributed to the study, said:
“The reasons for these findings are unknown, but my strong suspicion is that the data demonstrate a promising link between being consistently exposed to folic acid, and lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. But the explanation is complex and needs more research.”
