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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Health & Science

Eating breakfast after noon increases mortality risk by nearly 30%, study finds

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • A study published in the 'European Journal of Clinical Nutrition' found that eating breakfast after 12 p.m. is associated with a 29% higher risk of all-cause mortality.
  • Eating breakfast between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. increased the risk by 19%, and between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. by 10%, compared to eating between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
  • Potential reasons include disrupted insulin sensitivity, circadian misalignment, and overall lifestyle shifts associated with late eating patterns.

A recent study suggests a significant link between the timing of one's first meal and overall mortality risk. Research published in the 'European Journal of Clinical Nutrition' indicates that individuals who consume their breakfast after 12 p.m. face a nearly 30% higher risk of death from all causes compared to those who eat between 7 and 8 a.m.

The study analyzed 31,044 American adults aged 40 and older, with a median follow-up of 8.6 years, during which 7,129 people died.

— Study detailsProviding the scope and duration of the research.

The study analyzed data from over 31,000 American adults aged 40 and older, tracking their eating habits and health outcomes over an average of 8.6 years. The findings revealed a dose-response relationship: eating breakfast between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. was associated with a 19% increased risk, while eating between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. showed a 10% increase. Furthermore, those who ate their first meal after noon also had a 46% higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

Compared to those who ate their first meal between 7 and 8 a.m.: eating between 8-10 a.m. increased all-cause mortality risk by 10%; eating between 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. increased it by 19%; eating after 12 p.m. increased it by 29%.

— Study findingsDetailing the specific mortality risks associated with different breakfast timings.

Family physician Dr. Wang Ziyun explained that several factors could contribute to these findings. One possibility is the body's differing insulin sensitivity throughout the day, with earlier hours being more efficient for glucose processing. Another factor is circadian misalignment, where late eating disrupts the body's natural biological rhythms, potentially impacting metabolism negatively over time.

Those who ate their first meal after noon had a 46% higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to those who ate between 7-8 a.m.

— Study findingsHighlighting the increased cardiovascular risk linked to late breakfast consumption.

Dr. Wang also noted that eating breakfast late often signifies a broader shift in lifestyle, including later sleep times and potentially nighttime eating, which can collectively harm health. The study also considered reverse causality, acknowledging that individuals with poorer health, fatigue, or depression might naturally eat later. Regardless of the precise cause, the research underscores the importance of consistent meal timing for maintaining health and potentially extending lifespan.

I often emphasize in my clinic that the first drink of the day, breakfast, should be finished before 10 a.m., with 8 a.m. being ideal.

— Dr. Wang ZiyunSharing her clinical advice based on the study's findings.
About this summary

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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