Khaberni - A large-scale medical study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology has revealed a strong connection between skipping breakfast and an increased risk of death from cardiovascular diseases, reigniting the debate about the importance of this traditionally "most important meal of the day".
The researchers based their study on data from 6,550 individuals aged between 40 and 75, collected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) between 1988 and 1994, and followed up their health status until 2011 through the national death registry, according to reports.
The results showed that the average age of participants was 53.2 years, with about half of them being men, while their breakfast eating habits were distributed as follows:
5.1% never ate breakfast
10.9% rarely ate it
25% ate it on some days
59% ate it daily
Young people are more likely to skip breakfast
The study indicated that 23.8% of young Americans skip breakfast daily, a phenomenon that has been increasing for the past fifty years. Experts warn that this habit is associated with a heightened risk of several chronic diseases, including: obesity, high blood pressure, lipid disorders, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease and stroke.
Breakfast boosts heart health and a healthy lifestyle
The study results clarified that skipping breakfast was linked with a significant increase in the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases, emphasizing the importance of the morning meal in maintaining heart health.
Healthline website confirmed that individuals who regularly eat breakfast tend to be healthier and slimmer than those who skip it, possibly because they follow better dietary and lifestyle habits.
In the same context, Dr. Lopez-Jimenez from the Mayo Clinic mentioned that "skipping breakfast has never been a healthy behavior, as studies have shown that those who ignore it are more susceptible to heart diseases and other health problems." He added: "The likelihood of heart attacks is higher in the morning, and without food, the body perceives it as a threat of starvation, releasing more adrenaline hormone, which puts extra pressure on the heart."
