Can Gorging Raise Cholesterol? | Important Research

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Can Gorging Raise Cholesterol?

Previous studies have shown that a "gorging" diet - in which a person obtains total daily calories in only a few meals per day - may lead to higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol than a diet in which calories are divided among multiple meals throughout the day.

It is not clear if the cholesterol-lowering effects of eating multiple daily meals apply only to extreme cases, or if they affect people over a wide distribution of eating habits.

Data from the Norfolk population of the European prospective investigation into cancer (EPIC-Norfolk) were utilized for this study. Self-reported eating frequency; amount and types of nutrients eaten; and blood lipid concentrations were determined for 14,666 subjects ages 45-75. Eating frequency per day was classified into five groups: one to two meals; three meals; four meals; five meals; and six or more meals. The results of the study are listed below:

Blood concentrations of LDL and total cholesterol steadily decreased with an increasing number of meals consumed per day.

Despite lower LDL/total cholesterol levels, higher eating frequency was also linked to higher calorie, fat, carbohydrate, and protein consumption.

Age was negatively related to eating frequency in women; alcohol and cigarette use were higher in those eating one to two meals per day.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were unrelated to eating frequency.

The authors conclude that these results are "particularly striking in view of the increased energy intake, including fat intake, in people who reported eating more frequently."

Titan SMO, Bingham S, Welch A, et al. Frequency of eating and concentrations of serum cholesterol in the Norfolk population of the European prospective investigation into cancer (EPIC-Norfolk): Cross sectional study. British Medical Journal 2001:323, pp. 1286-1288.
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