Trending Now - 12-hour Fasting Linked to Better Blood Pressure and Sugar Levels

WHO:

Researchers from Northwestern University in Chicago

Daniela Grimaldi, research associate professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Phyllis C Zee, MD, PhD, director of the Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine at Northwestern Medicine

Dr. Kate Bermingham, researcher at King’s College London

Rhiannon Lambert, registered nutritionist and author of The Fibre Formula

Dr. Federica Amati, research associate at Imperial College London’s WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Education and Training

Bahee Van de Bor, dietician and spokeswoman for the British Dietetic Association

Angel Planells, MS, RDN, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

WHAT:

A study found that not eating for three hours before bed improved blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels in overweight adults at risk for cardiometabolic disease.

Participants experienced a 3.5% drop in nighttime blood pressure and a 5% decrease in heart rate.

The study suggested extending the overnight fast to about 12 hours without cutting calories.

The research was published in the American Heart Association’s journal, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.

WHERE:

Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois

King’s College London, United Kingdom

Imperial College London, United Kingdom

WHEN:

The study was conducted over a seven-week trial period.

The research was reported in 2026.

WHY:

Eating late can disrupt the body's internal clock, affecting metabolism, hormone release, and heart function.

The study aimed to find a simple, no-cost strategy to improve heart and metabolic health.

HOW:

Participants were instructed to stop eating at least three hours before bedtime.

The study controlled light exposure by dimming lights three hours before bed.

The researchers emphasized aligning meal timing with the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 07:16 UTC)

A new study conducted by researchers from Northwestern University in Chicago and published in the American Heart Association’s journal found that not eating for three hours before bed can significantly improve blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels in overweight adults at risk for cardiometabolic disease. Participants in the seven-week trial experienced a 3.5% drop in nighttime blood pressure and a 5% decrease in heart rate, suggesting that extending the overnight fast to about 12 hours without cutting calories could be beneficial. The research highlights the importance of meal timing in relation to the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, aiming to provide a simple, no-cost strategy for enhancing heart and metabolic health.