Key takeaways
- Earlier meals may promote longevity. One study found that older adults who ate breakfast later had a slightly higher mortality rate than those who ate breakfast earlier.
- Meal timing affects metabolism. Eating later in the day is linked to a higher BMI and a higher risk of chronic diseases.
- Your body clock is also affected by meal timing. Aligning breakfast and dinner with your circadian rhythm can promote healthier aging.
The time you eat breakfast is often determined by the time you wake up. After brushing your teeth and starting your morning routine, the natural next step is to make yourself a delicious breakfast. And according to a new study published in NatureBreakfast start time may be more important than you think. The study found that a later breakfast start time is associated with increased mortality. The 10-year survival rate was 86.7% for those in the late eating group, compared to 89.5% for the early breakfast group. Keep reading to learn more about these results.
The link between early breakfast and longevity
To understand the link between breakfast timing and longevity, researchers analyzed data from a longitudinal study that followed nearly 3,000 older people in the United Kingdom from 1983 to 2017. They found that as people got older, they were more likely to eat breakfast and dinner later. Chrononutrition, also known as the study of meal times, has found that later meal times are associated with poor metabolic health, which can lead to increased risk of chronic disease. On average, participants started breakfast 31 minutes after waking up, at 8:22 a.m. Older age was correlated with a later breakfast start time.
Meal times are also linked to our circadian rhythm: food intake acts as an environmental signal that informs our circadian clock. Due to other changes that often accompany aging, such as limited mobility and fewer social connections, circadian rhythms can shift further with poorly timed meals. Researchers hypothesize that starting breakfast earlier could help restore circadian rhythms in older adults.
Although more research is needed, the timing of our meals may affect healthy aging more than we think. Eating an early breakfast can help us maintain our circadian rhythms as we age, and we might even notice an improvement in our overall health, mental health, and well-being.
Align your breakfast time with your daily schedule by preparing your meal the night before to ensure you eat within 30 minutes of waking up. This practice supports your circadian rhythm and promotes healthier aging.
Gn Health
