Eating meals at earlier times can cut the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Delaying breakfast could be deadly
A large study involving more than 100,000 people in France discovered that those who skipped breakfast and ate their first meal of the day later on had an increased chance of developing cardiovascular disease.
In addition, eating dinner after 9pm was linked to higher rates of stroke - particularly in females.
The study, involving scientists from the Barcelona Institute of Global Health and Universite Sorbonne Paris Nord, concluded that the link could be explained by food's role in synchronising internal body clocks and controlling blood pressure.
They said: "Eating late at night can disrupt this system and lead to metabolic disturbances."
The experts said that their findings need to be replicated in larger groups but declared that they are consistent with previous studies.
The boffins explained: "These findings suggest that, beyond the nutritional quality of the diet itself, recommendations related to the meal timing for patients and citizens may help promoting a better cardiometabolic health."