Wolfing down your dinner increases risk of having heart attack

Japanese survey finds fast eaters are much more likely to develop metabolic problems and gain weight

‘It’s a reminder that many of us have hectic lifestyles, which may include eating quickly at the desk over lunchtime’

DINERS who gobble down their food quickly are five times more likely to develop symptoms that raise their risk of a heart attack than those who savour each mouthful.

Research by Japanese scientists has found that people who eat slowly and mindfully are less likely to gain weight or develop metabolic syndrome – the name for a cluster of dangerous health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

The researchers followed more than 1,000 middle-aged men and women for five years, monitoring their eating speed and health. They found that just 2.3 per cent of the slow eaters developed metabolic syndrome, compared with 6.5 per cent of medium-speed eaters, and 11.6 per cent of the fast eaters.

Those who ate the fastest were also more than three times more likely to have gained 3st.

Scientists believe that eating too quickly prevents the brain from noticing when the body has taken in too many calories. Unused calories are stored as fat, placing pressure on the heart. Eating too fast also appears to cause spikes of blood sugar, which can stop insulin working effectively.

“Eating more slowly may be a crucial lifestyle change to help prevent meta- bolic syndrome,” said Dr Takayuki Yamaji, the study author and a cardiologist at Hiroshima University.

“When people eat fast they tend not to feel full and are more likely to overeat. Eating fast causes bigger glucose fluctuation, which can lead to insulin resistance.”

Metabolic syndrome affects one in four adults in Britain. On their own diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity can damage blood vessels, but having all three is particularly dangerous.

“It’s a reminder that many of us have hectic lifestyles, which may include eating quickly at the desk over lunchtime, or in a rush commuting home,” said Prof Jeremy Pearson of the British Heart Foundation.

Esmee Russell, of the Stroke Association, added: “Being overweight increases your risk of ischemic stroke by 22 per cent, and if you are obese, the risk increases by 64 per cent, so tackling obesity is crucial.”

The research was presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2017.

♦ Eating a handful of nuts a couple of times a week can cut the risk of heart disease by almost a quarter, research has shown.

A study of more than 200,000 people found those who ate walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, pistachios, pecans and peanuts two or more times a week were 23 per cent less likely to develop coronary heart disease and 15 per cent less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease. The study is published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiolog y.