Dinner harms the heart: shift work endangers our health!

Dinner harms the heart: shift work endangers our health!

A current study, published in "Nature Communications", shows alarming results on the health effects of nightly food on heart health. The US experiment, which focused on the effects of night shift work, found that night meals significantly increased the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The study dealt with 19 healthy subjects, including 7 women and 12 men of the average age of 26.5 years, which were tested layer -friendly over a period of 14 days. They simulated night shift work.

The test subjects were divided into two groups: one was allowed to eat both during the day and at night, while the other could only eat food during the day. Despite a comparable sleeping time, the cardiovascular risk factors rose in the group, which at night at night, while they remained constant in the group eating during the day. This indicates that the time of food intake is decisive for changing these risk factors.

The risks of shift work

shift work is an essential part of many sectors, for example in healthcare, logistics and industry. According to Eurostat, around 14.8 % of 15 to 64-year-old workers in Germany worked in shift work in 2023. This type of work can cause serious health risks because it disturbs the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm regulates sleep-wake behavior, hormone secretion and body temperature, and is crucial for general well-being.

Chronobiology that deals with these biological rhythms notes that night and shift work often lead to chronic jet lag, which can result in health problems. Shifts often report conversion and sleep problems, especially if there are changes in the shift plan. Almost 42 % of the shift workers state to suffer from such problems.

long -term effects on health

The health consequences of shift work are extensive and ranges from lack of sleep to cognitive impairments to increased risks for cardiovascular diseases. Studies show that long -standing shift workers suffer significantly more often from cognitive restrictions. Furthermore, they face an increased risk of metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and overweight.

The effects are not only short -term; Shift work can increase the risk of certain cancer and gastrointestinal diseases. Especially night shift workers fight with serious health challenges. The connection between lack of sleep, social isolation and unhealthy lifestyle changes is well documented and can have serious consequences for cardiovascular health.

prevention strategies and recommendations

In order to minimize the health risks, various strategies are necessary. This includes the development of individual layer plans as well as sufficient rest periods and short night shifting cycles. Recommendations to improve sleep quality include good sleep hygiene, regular exercise and a balanced diet. Shift workers should also make sure to reduce their light exposure after night shifts and to recover in a dark, quiet environment to reduce the negative effects on their health.