Can eating time increase the risk of cancer?

Representational photo only

Washington DC

Late dinners could increase the risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer, finds new research.
The study involved 621 cases of prostate cancer and 1,205 cases of breast cancer in 872 men and 1,321 control women.
Participants were interviewed about the timing of meals and sleep, and completed a food frequency questionnaire.
Compared to individuals who sleep immediately after dinner, those who sleep two hours or more after dinner have a 20 percent reduction in the risk of cancer associated with breast and prostate cancer and each cancer individually.
Similar protection was observed in individuals having supper before 9 pm compared to supper after 10 pm.
The findings underscore the importance of assessing the body's internal clock – or circadian rhythms – in studies of diet and cancer, and the need to develop dietary recommendations for the cancer prevention.
"If the results are confirmed, they will have implications for cancer prevention recommendations that currently do not take into account the timing of meals," said lead author Dr. Manolis Kogevinas.
"The impact could be particularly important in crops such as those in southern Europe where people tend to dine late."
The study was published in the International Journal of Cancer. ANI