Long gaps between meals linked to faster aging-related diseases in older adults, Swedish study finds
A Swedish study of 2,981 adults aged 60+ followed for up to 15 years found that those who routinely went 14–24 hours without eating developed chronic diseases faster than peers with shorter fasting intervals, with the strongest pattern in those 78 and older. The diseases included cardiovascular conditions (e.g., heart failure, stroke) and neuropsychiatric issues (e.g., depression, dementia), while musculoskeletal conditions showed no clear link. The study is observational and can’t establish causation; factors like nutrient absorption, muscle maintenance, medications, existing health conditions, and overall frailty may influence results. Data were collected from 2001–2004 in Sweden, so generalizability to other populations or current eating patterns should be cautioned. Overall, findings suggest fasting guidance may need to account for age, nutrition, and health status rather than applying younger-adult results to older populations.
