Researchers have found that eating late in the night almost triples the risk of developing a deadly form of high blood pressure.
Researchers claim late night food binges trigger the release of hormones that raise blood pressure, and affect our internal body clock, and could lead to heart attack, and even stroke.
A study of 721 people found that late night eaters were 2.8 times more likely to be “non-dippers” whose blood pressure doesn’t fall.
Lead researcher Dr Ebru Özpelit, from Dokuz Eylül University in Turkey, said: “If blood pressure doesn’t drop by more than ten percent, this increases cardiovascular risk.”
Ideally adults should avoid scoffing two hours before bedtime – and ideally eat nothing after 7pm, she told the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Rome.
Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “This research suggests that eating a meal late at night may contribute to the failure of their blood pressure to reduce.
“It is normal for blood pressure to reduce overnight, even in people with high blood pressure.
“However, in some their blood pressure remains elevated throughout the night putting them at potentially higher risk of future complications.”
S.O.Z