Researchers first highlighted the importance of meal timing for health and back in the 1970s.
According to a new study conducted by doctors from Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital (USA), and the University of Manchester (UK), having breakfast later in life may be linked to declining health and early mortality.
The study authors involved around 3,000 elderly British participants, who were monitored for an average of 22 years. Researchers found that those who had breakfast later had a slightly lower chance of living another decade compared to those who ate earlier.
What did the scientists discover?
Over more than two decades, volunteers provided researchers with data about their health, meal timing, and blood samples for analysis, as reported by BBC Science Focus.
On average, participants had breakfast around 8:20 AM. Those who ate closer to 9:00 AM or later reported more health issues. The most common problems included , fatigue, anxiety, and poor oral health. These conditions are known to foreshadow more serious physical and mental illnesses and a shorter lifespan.
During the study, doctors noticed that people were increasingly postponing and to later times, cramming their entire daily intake into a shorter window.
Researchers found that participants who were genetically predisposed to being “night owls” (waking up and going to bed later) tended to eat later in the day.
“Our results give new meaning to the saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day; this is especially true for older adults,” said lead author Dr. Hassan Dashti.
“Our study showed that changes in the eating patterns of older adults, particularly later breakfast times, can be a marker of their health status. Encouraging individuals in this age group to maintain a consistent eating schedule may promote healthy aging and longevity,” Dr. Dashti added.
The authors stated that their findings are significant given the current popularity of intermittent fasting, where people intentionally extend their fasting periods throughout the day and often have breakfast later.
“Eating later, especially having breakfast late, is associated with both health problems and an increased risk of mortality in older adults,” Dr. Dashti concluded.
The study’s results were published in the journal Nature.
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