In modern times, breakfast has evolved into a diverse and culturally rich meal, reflecting the globalized world we live in. This meal, often referred to as the most important one of the day, has undergone significant changes from its historical origins.

Health and breakfast

Many studies that advocate the advantages of breakfast are often only observational and cannot prove a direct cause and effect relationship.

For instance, a 2021 study revealed that individuals who eat breakfast every day experience a lowered chance of developing heart disease, diabetes, obesity, stroke, or high blood pressure. Nevertheless, this outcome cannot be solely credited to breakfast’s advantages.

A study of 30,000 North Americans revealed that skipping breakfast leads to a lack of essential nutrients, including folic acid, iron, vitamins A, C, D, and certain types of B vitamins.

A study published in 2017 examined 18 people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and 18 healthy individuals. It found that abstaining from breakfast disrupted the circadian rhythm in both groups, causing a higher increase in blood glucose levels in those who skipped breakfast. The study authors concluded that eating breakfast is crucial for maintaining proper internal clocks.

This also suggests a correlation between skipping breakfast and weight gain.

The study tested how eating breakfast affects weight loss in 309 overweight or obese adults who wanted to lose weight for four months. The researchers found that skipping breakfast did not have a significant effect on weight loss compared to eating breakfast. Nevertheless, some experts caution that eating breakfast might not be a good weight loss strategy, depending on the food choices made for breakfast, since this could cause weight gain. It has been shown that if you skip breakfast, you may eat 252 fewer calories per day.

However, don’t disregard the idea that having a big breakfast can assist in weight loss. A study of overweight female volunteers discovered that those who ate a large breakfast lost more weight and inches off their waist than those who ate a low-calorie breakfast and a large dinner.

Skipping Breakfast? But why would you do that?

“Skipping breakfast can lead to increased hunger later in the day, causing people to overeat,” claims Brady Holmer, a researcher for the Nutrition and Dietary Supplement Studies database. Studies show that those who eat a substantial breakfast instead of a large dinner tend to experience weight loss, reduced hunger, and stabilized blood sugar levels. Although there is conflicting evidence, some studies suggest that consuming more calories in the morning can benefit your metabolism.