As individuals age, having breakfast may be linked to a higher risk of early death, particularly for those in poor health. Recent research involving 3,000 adults indicates this connection.
After tracking participants for an average of 22 years, scientists observed that those who usually ate breakfast later in the morning had a slightly better survival rate in the following year compared to those who ate earlier.
Study participants typically consumed breakfast around 8:20 am, but those who waited until after 9 am were more prone to issues like depression, fatigue, or oral health problems.
“These findings provide new insight into the saying ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day,’ especially for seniors,” stated the authors, including Dr. Hassan Dashti, a nutrition scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital.
“Our research implies that the timing of meals, particularly breakfast for older adults, can be a simple marker for assessing overall health.”
“Moreover, promoting a regular dietary schedule among older adults could be part of a larger strategy to enhance healthy aging and longevity.”
Participants were observed for over 20 years, during which they reported their health status, meal times, and occasionally provided blood samples.
Over time, researchers noticed that people were shifting their breakfast and dinner times later in the day, thereby shortening their overall eating window.
Since this study was observational, it does not definitively prove that delaying breakfast leads to health issues or early mortality; rather, it hints at a potential correlation.
Furthermore, researchers have determined that individuals genetically predisposed to “night owl” behavior are likely to rise and sleep later, consequently eating their meals later as well.
The authors emphasized the significance of their findings, especially considering the rising trend of intermittent fasting.
“The timing of subsequent meals, particularly delayed breakfast, is connected to health challenges and an increased risk of death among older adults,” Dashti concluded.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
