The secret to a longer life may not just be what you eat, but when you eat it, according to a major new study suggesting that an earlier breakfast could add years to your life.
Research published this month in the journal Communications Medicine reveals that the timing of meals, especially the first one of the day, could be a significant indicator of a person's underlying health and longevity. An international team of scientists, led by Dr. Hassan Dashti of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, analyzed three decades of data from nearly 3,000 adults aged 42 to 94.
The study found that as people age, they tend to eat breakfast and dinner progressively later. On average, each decade of aging was linked to an eight-minute delay in breakfast time. However, researchers say this shift is often a symptom of other health and lifestyle challenges.
Factors such as poor sleep, depression, dental problems, and difficulty preparing meals were all associated with pushing breakfast to a later time. Lifestyle changes like retirement, living alone, or moving into assisted living were also found to contribute.
"For example, depression and fatigue may reduce appetite or slow down morning routines," Dr. Dashti told Everyday Health. He cautioned that because the study was observational, it identifies a strong correlation rather than a direct cause. "Dental or chewing problems can make eating uncomfortable, leading people to postpone breakfast," he added.
The statistical link to mortality was significant. During a 22-year follow-up, researchers found that for every hour breakfast was delayed, the risk of death increased. The data showed that older adults who maintained earlier meal times had a 10-year survival rate of 89.5%, notably higher than the 86.7% survival rate for those who ate later.
0 Comments