When is the best time to eat calcium-rich foods to prevent heart disease?

Eating calcium-rich foods like dairy products plays an important role in protecting against heart disease and improving overall health, but according to a new study, when should calcium be taken to protect against heart disease?

In a recent study, researchers analyzed the timing of calcium intake among 36,164 US adults to determine the best time to drink milk from dinner to breakfast, finding that taking calcium between breakfast and dinner reduced the risk of heart disease.

According to a study published last month in BMC Public Health, reducing calcium intake by 5% at dinner and 5% at breakfast reduced cardiovascular risk by 6%.

The researchers noted that dietary calcium can improve blood lipids, fat and blood pressure, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It should be noted that heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide.

Calcium is found in abundance in milk and processed foods, dark leafy vegetables and some types of fish, but when your body absorbs it best depends on your 24-hour biological clock.

According to research, calcium is slightly absorbed in the body during the day due to certain hormones that are essential for calcium metabolism, such as parathormone. This hormone is high in daylight.

Experts recommend 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day for men ages 19 to 70 and women ages 19 to 50, while men ages 71 and older and women ages 51 and older need 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day.

According to the University of California San Francisco Health, a cup of milk typically contains 300 milligrams of calcium, while a cup of cooked spinach contains 240 milligrams and a 3-ounce serving of sardines provides 370 milligrams.

All people who eat a balanced diet consisting of plants, nuts, seeds and occasional dairy alternatives do not need calcium supplements.

But people who eat little or no calcium-rich foods or those who are lactose intolerant can talk to their doctor about supplements.