Study Links Skipping Breakfast to Higher Heart Attack Risk
A significant new study has highlighted the dangers of skipping breakfast, linking this common practice to an increased risk of dying from heart disease and other serious health issues. Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the research emphasizes the importance of making breakfast a regular part of one’s daily routine.
The study analyzed health data from 6,550 adults aged between 40 and 75, collected during the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III) between 1988 and 1994. Participants were monitored through to 2011 using the National Death Index to evaluate long-term health outcomes. The findings indicate that those who skip breakfast are at a significantly heightened risk for mortality due to cardiovascular disease.
Among the participants, researchers categorized breakfast consumption as follows: 5.1% never consumed breakfast, 10.9% rarely did, 25% consumed breakfast on some days, and 59% had breakfast every day. This breakdown reflects a concerning trend; despite the known risks, the number of individuals skipping breakfast has been on the rise, particularly in the United States, where 23.8% of young people reportedly skip breakfast daily.
Experts have noted that regularly missing breakfast is correlated with various health risks, including obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease. The study’s conclusion underscores a crucial message: “In a nationally representative cohort with 17 to 23 years of follow-up, skipping breakfast was associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease. Our study supports the benefits of eating breakfast in promoting cardiovascular health.”
The implications of these findings resonate beyond just the data. According to experts from Healthline, “Breakfast eaters tend to be healthier and leaner than breakfast skippers.” This observation suggests that those who prioritize breakfast may also engage in other healthy lifestyle choices, contributing to their overall well-being.
Dr. Lopez-Jimenez at the Mayo Clinic added further context, stating that historically, skipping breakfast has not been associated with a healthy lifestyle. Numerous studies have shown an increased risk for heart disease among those who forgo this meal. He pointed out that heart attacks are more likely to occur in the morning, attributing this phenomenon to a heightened adrenaline state.
Dr. Lopez-Jimenez explained that in the absence of food intake, the body reacts to the lack of calories with an adrenaline surge. “If you match that with no food, the body thinks it could die from starvation, so it has to do some extra things. And those extra things are essentially activating the glands that produce adrenaline, leading to a rush,” he noted.
As public health officials and nutritionists continue to advocate for the benefits of breakfast, the findings from this study provide a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with skipping this meal. The research not only emphasizes the importance of breakfast but also serves as a call to action for individuals to reconsider their morning routines for better heart health and overall well-being.
