It's not just what you eat, but also when you eat that impacts your health. A study revealed that meal timing plays a crucial role in mental well-being, with delayed eating schedules linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety, particularly among shift workers.

The study published in the journal Jama Network investigated the link between dietary rhythm and mental health among airline personnel who work on shifts. After examining 22,617 participants, the researchers revealed that meal timing, long eating window (over 12 hours), and delayed dinner have links to increased risk of depression and anxiety, regardless of work shift.

During the study, researchers tracked the timings at which the participants ate breakfast and dinner, and the intervals between meals. They then compared this data with the crew members' scores on anxiety and depression screening tools.

The findings were striking: day shift workers who delayed dinner past 8 p.m. faced twice the risk of depression and a 78% higher risk of anxiety compared to those who ate earlier. Also, delaying breakfast until after 9 a.m. was associated with a 73% increase in depression risk and a 79% rise in anxiety.

Similarly, workers on night shifts or a day off also had an increased risk of anxiety or depression associated with delayed meals.

"Specifically, we found that meal timing (early and late breakfast [before 8 a.m. and after 9 a.m.] as well as late dinner [after 8 p.m.]) was associated with depression and anxiety regardless of work shift," the researchers wrote.

However, those who confined their meals to a 12-hour window each day enjoyed a 16% lower risk of anxiety and a 19% decrease in depression, compared to individuals with more irregular eating schedules.

Although the study did not explore the exact mechanism by which meal timing impacts mental health, researchers suggest that it may be because of the influence of meal timings on the body's sleep/wake cycle, or circadian rhythm. Disruptions in this rhythm could alter metabolism, which might then affect mood and overall mental well-being.

"The findings of this study suggest the need for interventions and supportive policies that help mitigate the adverse implications of shift work and irregular working hours for mental health among airline crew members and, more broadly, among shift workers," the researchers concluded.

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