If you tend to skip breakfast, you might want to reconsider. A study conducted by Harvard researchers found that middle-aged and older men who regularly skipped breakfast had a 27% higher risk of having a heart attack compared to those who ate in the morning. This doesn’t just apply to men; the findings also likely extend to others.
Breakfast has long been linked to better health, with previous studies suggesting that skipping it can contribute to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other health issues that may lead to heart problems. However, this study is the first to directly link skipping breakfast with a higher long-term risk of heart attacks.
Why Is Skipping Breakfast a Problem?
Experts aren’t entirely sure why skipping breakfast increases heart attack risk, but they suspect that you’re more likely to feel hungrier later and overeat at other meals when you don’t eat breakfast. This can lead to your body processing many calories quickly, causing spikes in blood sugar levels and possibly leading to clogged arteries.
What About Unhealthy Breakfasts?
You might wonder if a breakfast full of syrupy pancakes, greasy eggs, and bacon is better than skipping the meal altogether. The study didn’t specifically look at what the participants ate for breakfast, so the researchers couldn’t say whether a sugary, fatty breakfast is better than nothing. Other experts agree that the quality of breakfast is important, but it’s still unclear whether timing or the food you choose matters more.
Generally, people who eat breakfast tend to have healthier diets overall, which might explain some of the benefits. The study, published in the journal *Circulation*, was observational, meaning it doesn’t prove cause and effect. However, it does suggest a strong link between breakfast habits and heart health.
The Bottom Line
The study followed nearly 27,000 men, all educated health professionals like dentists and veterinarians, who were at least 45 years old. Out of those, about 13% regularly skipped breakfast. Over the next 16 years, 1,527 of the men had fatal or non-fatal heart attacks, including 171 who skipped breakfast. That’s over 7% of breakfast skippers versus nearly 6% of those who ate breakfast—a significant difference.
The researchers calculated that skipping breakfast increased heart attack risk by 27%, even after considering factors like smoking, drinking, diet, and existing health problems.
With around 18% of U.S. adults regularly skipping breakfast, this study sends a simple but powerful message: “Don’t skip breakfast”.
For more information, visit the Harvard School of Public Health.
