The link Between Breakfast Timing and Long-Term Health
A recent 22-year study following 3,000 adults suggests a potential connection between when individuals eat breakfast and their overall health,particularly as they age. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Mass General Brigham found a slight correlation between later breakfast times and a reduced 10-year survival rate.
The average breakfast time among study participants was approximately 8:20 AM.Though, those who consistently ate breakfast closer too 9:00 AM or later reported a higher incidence of health issues, including depression, fatigue, and poorer oral health.
Lead author Dr. Hassan Dashti,a nutrition scientist,emphasizes the potential importance of these findings. “Our research suggests that shifts in meal timing, specifically breakfast, could be a readily observable indicator of an older adult’s overall health,” he stated. He further proposes that encouraging consistent meal schedules could be a valuable component of strategies aimed at promoting healthy aging and extending lifespan.
The study tracked participants’ health, meal times, and, in some cases, collected blood samples over two decades. Researchers noted a general trend of individuals shifting both breakfast and dinner to later times, while simultaneously shortening their overall daily eating window.
It’s critically important to note that this was an observational study, meaning it demonstrates a correlation and does not prove that delaying breakfast directly causes health problems or increases mortality risk. The study also revealed a link between genetic predispositions for “night owl” behavior (later sleep and wake times) and later meal consumption.
The researchers highlight the relevance of these findings in light of the increasing popularity of intermittent fasting, a dietary approach often involving a delayed breakfast due to extended fasting periods. Dr.Dashti concluded, “Later meal timing, especially delayed breakfast, is tied to both health challenges and increased mortality risk in older adults.”
