A decades-long study tracking nearly 3,000 adults over 30 years suggests that the timing of your meals, especially breakfast, may be as important as the food on your plate. The findings, published in Communications Medicine and reported by Fox News Digital, indicate that sticking to earlier meal times could improve longevity, particularly for older adults.
Later Breakfast, Shorter Life?
The international research team, led by Dr. Hassan Dashti of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, examined how meal timing, health conditions, genetics, and mortality interact in adults aged 42 to 94. Using data from the University of Manchester, the scientists found that as people age, they tend to push breakfast and dinner later, shortening their overall eating window.
“For example, depression and fatigue may reduce appetite or slow down morning routines, while dental or chewing problems can make eating uncomfortable, leading people to postpone breakfast,” Dashti told Everyday Health.
The study does not prove that late breakfasts cause health problems, only that they are often linked with conditions like depression, fatigue, anxiety, and oral health issues.
Every Hour Counts
Over 22 years of follow-up, researchers recorded 2,361 deaths. They found that each additional hour delay in breakfast time was associated with a higher risk of death. Older adults who maintained earlier meals had a 10-year survival rate of 89.5%, compared to 86.7% among those who ate later. While the difference may seem modest, it was statistically significant.
“Up until now, we had limited insight into how the timing of meals evolves later in life and how this shift relates to overall health and longevity,” Dashti said. “These results add new meaning to the saying that ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day,’ especially for older individuals.”
Chrononutrition and Healthy Aging
The research contributes to the growing field of chrononutrition, which studies how meal timing affects health. Consistent eating schedules may support circadian rhythms, help maintain energy, and promote healthy aging.
Dashti also noted that trends like intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating might affect older adults differently than younger individuals, highlighting the importance of tailored strategies.
For those aiming to live longer and healthier, the advice is simple: eat breakfast earlier and keep a consistent meal schedule. Maintaining structured eating patterns can be a straightforward, low-risk way to support your overall health and longevity.
Later Breakfast, Shorter Life?
The international research team, led by Dr. Hassan Dashti of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, examined how meal timing, health conditions, genetics, and mortality interact in adults aged 42 to 94. Using data from the University of Manchester, the scientists found that as people age, they tend to push breakfast and dinner later, shortening their overall eating window.
“For example, depression and fatigue may reduce appetite or slow down morning routines, while dental or chewing problems can make eating uncomfortable, leading people to postpone breakfast,” Dashti told Everyday Health.
The study does not prove that late breakfasts cause health problems, only that they are often linked with conditions like depression, fatigue, anxiety, and oral health issues.
Every Hour Counts
Over 22 years of follow-up, researchers recorded 2,361 deaths. They found that each additional hour delay in breakfast time was associated with a higher risk of death. Older adults who maintained earlier meals had a 10-year survival rate of 89.5%, compared to 86.7% among those who ate later. While the difference may seem modest, it was statistically significant.
“Up until now, we had limited insight into how the timing of meals evolves later in life and how this shift relates to overall health and longevity,” Dashti said. “These results add new meaning to the saying that ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day,’ especially for older individuals.”
Chrononutrition and Healthy Aging
The research contributes to the growing field of chrononutrition, which studies how meal timing affects health. Consistent eating schedules may support circadian rhythms, help maintain energy, and promote healthy aging.
Dashti also noted that trends like intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating might affect older adults differently than younger individuals, highlighting the importance of tailored strategies.
For those aiming to live longer and healthier, the advice is simple: eat breakfast earlier and keep a consistent meal schedule. Maintaining structured eating patterns can be a straightforward, low-risk way to support your overall health and longevity.
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