Early Breakfast May Add Years to Your Life, Study Finds

APP

Islamabad: Skipping or delaying breakfast could be more than just a bad habit—it may shorten your lifespan, according to a new international study.

Led by Dr. Hassan Dashti of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, researchers analyzed data from 42- to 94-year-olds, examining meal timing, health conditions, genetics, and mortality using information from the University of Manchester.

Their findings, published this month in Communications Medicine, suggest that breakfast timing could be as important for longevity as diet quality and lifestyle habits.

The study revealed that as people age, they tend to push both breakfast and dinner later, while reducing their overall eating window. Those who consistently delayed breakfast faced higher risks of depression, fatigue, oral health issues, and even premature death.

In contrast, individuals eating breakfast earlier—around 7:50 a.m.—showed significantly lower mortality risks. Researchers found that for every one-hour delay in breakfast, the risk of death increased by 8–11 percent.

Experts warn that habitual late breakfasts may contribute to a range of health problems, from sleep disturbances and physical weakness to mental health issues such as depression. They now recommend considering the timing of breakfast as an important “health marker,” alongside what and how you eat.

“Breakfast isn’t just the most important meal—it may also be the most time-sensitive,” the researchers noted.

With this new evidence, early risers may not only enjoy a morning cup of coffee—they may also be adding years to their lives.