In the quest to manage weight, some people specifically target breakfast, assuming that skipping one meal will lead to significant weight loss. But is this really the case?
In reality, whatever you skimp out on during breakfast, you’re likely to compensate for during lunch and dinner, possibly even consuming more. Those who skip breakfast tend to crave high-carbohydrate, high-fat, and high-calorie foods when they eat later meals. Combined with overeating due to hunger, this can easily lead to abnormal insulin levels, affecting the body’s normal regulation of blood sugar and increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Moreover, the extra food consumed gets stored in the body as fat, potentially raising the risk of fatty liver disease. It seems that to maintain liver health, breakfast is crucial.
Apart from contributing to weight gain, missing breakfast has other downsides too.
A South Korean study revealed that skipping breakfast increases the risk of hypertension by 36.6%. Meanwhile, a Japanese study found that those who forego breakfast have an 18% higher risk of suffering a stroke and a 36% increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
Currently, cardiovascular diseases account for approximately one-third of global deaths, and their prevalence is on the rise each year. Apart from genetic factors, unhealthy dietary habits play a pivotal role in triggering cardiovascular issues – among them is skipping breakfast.
Foregoing breakfast can also impact mood and cognitive abilities. Without a breakfast habit, blood sugar levels can fluctuate dramatically. Continuous neglect can harm brain function. Studies have found that nutrients like protein, calcium, and B-vitamins can influence mood. The more diverse the carbohydrates in breakfast, the more positive the mood post-meal.
Considering the findings from various studies, it’s evident that missing breakfast can harm our health in numerous ways. Thinking of skipping breakfast to reduce weight? It might be time to rethink that strategy.