Skipping Breakfast Is Bad For Your Heart
Skipping breakfast to lose weight might seem like a good heart health strategy, but is it? Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day? Our bodies need to be fed consistently over the day. We naturally fast while sleeping overnight, but the body needs to "break fast" in the morning for optimal function. Prolonging fasting by skipping the first meal of the day can lead to issues with blood sugar management, high cholesterol levels, and increased blood pressure. All of three are risk factors for heart disease.
Skipping Breakfast Increases Risk of Heart Attack
In a study following male health professionals over 16 years, researchers discovered men who skip breakfast are 27 percent more likely to have a heart attack or die of coronary heart disease than those who ate breakfast.
"Skipping breakfast may lead to one or more risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, which may in turn lead to a heart attack over time," said Leah E. Cahill, Ph.D., study lead author and Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.
Another study indicates overweight women who skip breakfast may throw their bodies into insulin resistance leading to the onset of diabetes. Diabetes is a significant risk factor for heart disease.
"Don't skip breakfast," Cahill said. "Eating breakfast is associated with a decreased risk of heart attacks. Incorporating many types of healthy foods into your breakfast is an easy way to ensure your meal provides adequate energy and a healthy balance of nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. For example, adding nuts and chopped fruit to a bowl of whole grain cereal or steel-cut oatmeal in the morning is a great way to start the day." See: Male Health Professionals Cohort Study
"Skipping breakfast may lead to one or more risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, which may in turn lead to a heart attack over time," said Leah E. Cahill, Ph.D., study lead author and Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.
Another study indicates overweight women who skip breakfast may throw their bodies into insulin resistance leading to the onset of diabetes. Diabetes is a significant risk factor for heart disease.
"Don't skip breakfast," Cahill said. "Eating breakfast is associated with a decreased risk of heart attacks. Incorporating many types of healthy foods into your breakfast is an easy way to ensure your meal provides adequate energy and a healthy balance of nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. For example, adding nuts and chopped fruit to a bowl of whole grain cereal or steel-cut oatmeal in the morning is a great way to start the day." See: Male Health Professionals Cohort Study
Additional Side Effects Of Skipping Breakfast
Consistent timing of meals is important in maintaining a healthy metabolism. Going too long without food puts stress on the body and creates other side effects including:
- Slowing metabolism. Many people who skip breakfast in an attempt to lose weight, find they gain weight instead. As the body receives less food, it slows down the number of calories it burns.
- Decreasing energy. Without proper fuel, the body is able to perform physical tasks well. Decreased energy makes exercise more difficult and may again lead to weight gain over time.
- Decreasing muscle tone. The body will divert calories to essential functions, and away from maintaining muscles.
- Decreasing productivity and concentration. Without enough fuel, brain function is diminished and creative thought made difficult. See: Heart Healthy Breakfast Tips
- Slowing metabolism. Many people who skip breakfast in an attempt to lose weight, find they gain weight instead. As the body receives less food, it slows down the number of calories it burns.
- Decreasing energy. Without proper fuel, the body is able to perform physical tasks well. Decreased energy makes exercise more difficult and may again lead to weight gain over time.
- Decreasing muscle tone. The body will divert calories to essential functions, and away from maintaining muscles.
- Decreasing productivity and concentration. Without enough fuel, brain function is diminished and creative thought made difficult. See: Heart Healthy Breakfast Tips
Do your body a favor and eat a healthy breakfast. Start your day with energy and protect your heart.
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