{
  "id": 8923944,
  "title": "THE CONVERSATION: Why long gaps between meals may not be healthy for older people",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/the-conversation-why-long-gaps-between-meals-may-not-be-healthy-for",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-21T13:12:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-21-why-long-gaps-between-meals-may-not-be-healthy-for-older-people/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study has found that older adults, particularly those over the age of 78, may experience faster development of chronic diseases when they have longer gaps between meals. This research, conducted in Sweden, followed nearly 3,000 individuals aged 60 and above for up to 15 years. The study suggests that while intermittent fasting may have benefits for younger adults, the results do not apply to older populations as the body's processes change with age.\n\nThe study found that participants who went 14 to 24 hours without eating developed chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular issues and neuropsychiatric conditions, at a faster rate than those with shorter fasting periods. However, this link was not observed in individuals aged 60 to 77. This discrepancy could be attributed to various factors that change as people age, including the efficiency of the digestive system, muscle responsiveness to protein, and medication use. Additionally, older adults are more likely to have multiple long-term health conditions and take multiple medications, which could also impact how fasting affects their health.\n\nThe researchers acknowledge that this study is observational, meaning it cannot definitively prove that longer fasting periods directly cause faster disease development. However, their findings suggest that fasting advice for older adults should take into account age, nutritional vulnerability, and overall health status. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between fasting and disease progression in older age groups.",
  "summary": "Going for much of the day without eating is often promoted as a way to improve health or lose weight. But a new study suggests that long gaps between meals may have different effects on older adults – especially those in the oldest age groups.",
  "key_points": [
    "Older adults over 78 may develop chronic diseases faster with long meal gaps.",
    "Study of 2,900+ individuals aged 60+ in Sweden for up to 15 years.",
    "Link between 14-24 hour fasting and disease development not seen in 60-77 age group."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}