Scientists discover that the timing of your breakfast might be connected to an early death

Having breakfast is an excellent way to begin the day, but a recent study suggests there might be a connection between the timing of your first meal and an increased risk of early death.

Before you start to worry, having breakfast at 11:59 a.m. or later doesn't mean your life is in danger, just as eating it at 4 a.m. doesn't ensure you'll live eternally.

However, a study examining adults' eating habits and their overall health over several decades has uncovered intriguing data.

According to a Science Alert report, an international team of researchers conducted a long-term study that emphasized the connection between having breakfast later in the day and an increased risk of early death among elderly individuals.

So if you're a fan of sneaky midnight cereal munching, no need to fret!

The data was collected from almost 3,000 adults living in Newcastle and Manchester in the UK, spanning the years 1983 to 2017.

The participants, who were between the ages of 42 and 94 at the time of enrollment, provided information through optional questionnaires regarding their health, lifestyle, and dietary habits. The study observed that as participants aged, they generally ate breakfast and dinner later in the day. These later meal times were associated with declines in physical and mental health.

The researchers discovered a notable connection between having breakfast at a later time and an increased risk of mortality, in terms of dying from any cause. Essentially, for every hour breakfast was delayed, the likelihood of dying during the study period increased by 8-11 percent.

Nutrition scientist Hassan Dashti from Harvard Medical School participated in the study and shared insights on the results.

He stated: “Our research indicates that changes in the eating schedule of older adults, particularly the timing of breakfast, could be an easily monitored indicator of their overall health.”

It is crucial to emphasize that although there is a connection, it does not necessarily imply a cause-and-effect relationship, even though it is true that our bodies respond differently based on when we eat.

The researchers proposed that the connection is likely due to the fact that as people age, the number and severity of health issues tend to increase. This can result in simple challenges such as difficulty standing, trouble walking, and a reduced appetite.

Mentally, tasks like preparing breakfast may become more time-consuming and demanding.

Dashti noted: “Previously, we had limited understanding of how meal timing changes later in life and its relationship with overall health and longevity."

“Our findings address this gap by demonstrating that later meal timing, particularly delayed breakfast, is associated with health issues and a higher mortality risk in older adults."