Weekend Meal Irregularity Linked to Higher Heart Disease Risk in Men

Key points

• The study, conducted by researchers from France and Spain, analyzed data from 104,806 adults in the NutriNet-Santé cohort over an average follow-up period of 8.1 years (spanning 2009 to 2023).
• Researchers calculated the midpoint between the first and last eating occasions for both weekdays and weekends to measure 'eating jet lag.'
• For male participants, every additional hour of difference between weekday and weekend eating midpoints was associated with a 14% higher risk of cardiovascular disease and a 21% higher risk of coronary heart disease.
• No significant association between eating jet lag and cardiovascular risk was found for female participants.
• The findings remained significant even after adjusting for sleep duration, social jet lag, and diet quality, suggesting meal timing regularity is an independent risk factor.
• The researchers hypothesize that irregular eating disrupts peripheral circadian clocks in organs like the liver and heart, potentially stressing the cardiovascular system.

Background

This finding extends previous research on 'social jet lag,' which links irregular sleep patterns on weekends to health issues. Our archive from September 2026 noted this specific study, confirming the 14% and 21% risk increases for men. It also follows broader trends in cardiovascular research, such as recent findings linking xylitol consumption and chronic melatonin use to elevated heart risks, highlighting the growing focus on lifestyle factors beyond traditional diet and exercise metrics.

How outlets are covering it

ScienceAlert and Euronews both emphasize the gender-specific nature of the findings, noting that men are uniquely affected while women show no correlation. Futura adds context by citing Bernard Srour of INRAE, who highlights that this study moves beyond just late eating to focus on the regularity of patterns. All sources agree that the study is observational and does not prove causation. Futura notes that the lack of effect in women may be due to hormonal and metabolic differences, while Euronews suggests women may be more inclined toward consistent morning routines. The Mumbai Mirror source was inaccessible (403 error) and provided no data.

Why it matters

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of death globally, accounting for nearly 19.8 million deaths in 2022. If confirmed, maintaining regular meal times could become a simple, non-pharmaceutical intervention to reduce heart disease risk. This adds a new dimension to public health advice, suggesting that when you eat may be as important as what you eat, particularly for men who may be more susceptible to circadian disruptions from irregular schedules.

What to watch

Researchers call for further studies to confirm these associations in more diverse populations, including those with different work schedules and weekend definitions. Future research will also investigate whether correcting 'eating jet lag' can actively reduce cardiovascular risk over time. The study team suggests that meal timing regularity could become a key focus for chronic disease prevention strategies.