People who work night shifts face a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease, one of the most common forms of heart disease. A new study suggests that diet may help reduce this risk. Researchers found that a higher intake of dietary fibre was associated with better heart health among individuals who work overnight. The findings are based on data from more than 220,000 adults in the United Kingdom and were published in the journal European Journal of Epidemiology.
The human body is naturally designed to follow a daily rhythm in which people are awake during the day and asleep at night. Working overnight disrupts this internal biological clock, known as the circadian rhythm. When this rhythm is repeatedly disturbed, it can place additional strain on the body and has been linked to several long-term health problems, including a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.
Previous studies have already shown that night shift work is associated with a higher likelihood of coronary artery disease. Because many professions require overnight schedules and night work is often unavoidable, researchers wanted to investigate whether certain dietary habits might help offset some of the increased risk faced by these workers.
To explore this question, the research team analysed data from participants in the UK Biobank collected between 2006 and 2010. The participants were divided into three groups: people who worked only daytime hours, those who worked night shifts occasionally, and those who regularly worked night shifts. All participants had completed detailed questionnaires describing their dietary habits, including their intake of dietary fibre.
After approximately 12 years of follow-up, the researchers compared the incidence of coronary artery disease among the different groups. They found that night shift workers who consumed lower amounts of fibre had a higher risk of developing the condition compared with those who consumed more fibre. The pattern was particularly noticeable among individuals who worked night shifts on a regular basis.
According to lead author Diana Nôga, a researcher at Uppsala University, even moderate fibre intake appeared to be linked to benefits. Among regular night shift workers, consuming around 19 grams of fibre per day was associated with a lower risk of coronary artery disease. For those who worked night shifts only occasionally, about 15 grams per day showed a similar relationship. For comparison, current general dietary guidelines recommend that adults aim for roughly 25 grams of fibre each day.
The researchers stress that these findings do not represent new official dietary recommendations. Instead, they highlight a pattern observed in the study population: higher fibre consumption was linked with a lower risk of heart disease among night shift workers. Fibre-rich foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruit, legumes and lentils may therefore help support heart health. However, dietary changes should complement other healthy habits such as regular physical activity, avoiding smoking, and getting adequate sleep.
More information: Diana Nôga et al, Night shift work, dietary patterns, and coronary heart disease, European Journal of Epidemiology. DOI: 10.1007/s10654-026-01362-w
Journal information: European Journal of Epidemiology Provided by Uppsala University
