Breakfast Timing and Longevity: New Study Reveals the Link
- A new study following nearly 950 UK adults for over 20 years reveals a connection between delayed meal times, particularly breakfast, and adverse health outcomes, including increased risk...
- researchers at Mass General brigham followed 945 community-dwelling adults in the UK, aged 42-94 years, for more than two decades.
- Specifically, later breakfast times where consistently associated with physical and mental health conditions, including depression, fatigue, and oral health problems.
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Later meals Linked to Health Risks and Increased Mortality in Older Adults
A new study following nearly 950 UK adults for over 20 years reveals a connection between delayed meal times, particularly breakfast, and adverse health outcomes, including increased risk of death.
Study findings: Meal Timing and Aging
researchers at Mass General brigham followed 945 community-dwelling adults in the UK, aged 42-94 years, for more than two decades. The study, supported by the National Institute of Health (R00HL153795), found that older adults tend to shift their meal times later in life, while also reducing the overall duration of their daily eating window.
Specifically, later breakfast times where consistently associated with physical and mental health conditions, including depression, fatigue, and oral health problems. Difficulty preparing meals and poor sleep quality were also linked to delayed mealtimes. Crucially, individuals who ate breakfast later in the day had a higher risk of mortality during the study period.
The research also indicated a genetic component. Individuals genetically predisposed to being “night owls” - those who naturally prefer later sleep and wake cycles – were more likely to eat meals later in the day.
“Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day” – Revisited
“Up until now, we had a limited insight into how the timing of meals evolves later in life and how this shift relates to overall health and longevity,” explained lead author Dr. Dashti.”Our findings help fill that gap by showing that later meal timing, especially delayed breakfast, is tied to both health challenges and increased mortality risk in older adults. These results add new meaning to the saying that ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day,’ especially for older individuals.”
Implications for Time-Restricted Eating and Intermittent Fasting
Dr. Dashti emphasized the importance of these findings in light of the growing popularity of time-restricted eating and intermittent fasting. The health impacts of shifting meal schedules may differ significantly in older adults compared to younger individuals. While these dietary approaches can be beneficial for some, the study suggests caution is warranted when applying them to aging populations.
The study did not delve into *why* later meal times are associated with negative health outcomes. Potential explanations include disruptions to circadian rhythms,altered metabolic processes,and reduced appetite regulation in older adults. Further research is needed to elucidate these mechanisms.
The study involved 945 participants aged 42-94 years in the UK. Data was collected over a period exceeding 20 years. In addition to Dr. Dashti, the research team included Chloe Liu, Hao Deng, and Anushka Sharma, all from Mass General brigham.