Nutrition experts have drilled it into us that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it is widely accepted that breakfast will kickstart your metabolism and stop you from snacking on unhealthy treats throughout the day. However, a new study suggests that bypassing breakfast could be even worse for our health than we previously realised.
Scientists from Columbia University found a link between meal timing and increased risk of conditions including heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, blood glucose levels, obesity, and reduced insulin sensitivity.
In particular, their research found that those who eat breakfast daily are less likely to have issues with high blood pressure or cholesterol.
For those who skip breakfast the stats are pretty scary. Breakfast avoiders are 27% more likely to suffer from a heart attack, and are 18 per cent more likely to have a stroke.
While finding time to eat breakfast can be tricky when on the rush to work, Marie-Pierre St-Onge from Columbia University Medical Center in New York recommends trying to plan ahead.
"Making healthy, carry-on foods is important. This could be a homemade smoothie or whole grain muffin or cereal bar for breakfast; packing a sandwich or leftovers for those times when time is tight," St-Onge suggested.
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