Breakfast timing: A new window into aging? |
Older adults who eat breakfast later in the day showed higher rates of depression, fatigue, and oral health problems in a long-term study of nearly 3,000 British adults. The research also found an association between later breakfast timing and increased mortality risk.
The pattern is concerning because, as we age, we naturally tend to eat breakfast later, leaving less time between the first and last meals of the day, potentially affecting metabolism and nutrient intake. However, researchers emphasize this is observational data, meaning they cannot determine whether health problems cause these eating pattern changes or vice versa.
“Later breakfast timing could serve as a marker of underlying health problems, providing doctors and caregivers with a simple, additional signal of declining health over time,” explained lead researcher Hassan Dashti, PhD, from Massachusetts General Hospital.
The sweet spot appears to be eating within 1 to 2 hours of waking. In this weekend’s article, registered dietitian Monique Richard recommends a simple schedule:
- breakfast 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
- lunch noon to 1 p.m.
- dinner 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
She also emphasizes prioritizing eating protein earlier in the day, with 25 to 30 grams at breakfast through options like Greek yogurt with nuts or eggs with beans. This pattern supports muscle function and brain health and helps maintain a consistent 10- to 12-hour overnight fasting window.
For more on chrononutrition and for specific strategies for overcoming common breakfast barriers in aging, jump to “Eating breakfast late linked to biological aging, depression, and oral health issues.”
Also making headlines this week:
| |
