An international team of scientists, including experts from the University of Manchester and Harvard, has concluded that the time of the first meal may affect life expectancy. The study found that a delayed breakfast increases the risk of death among older people.
The study, which lasted for more than three decades and included 2,945 people in the UK, found that every hour of delaying the morning meal increased the risk of mortality by 8%. This took into account socio-economic factors and lifestyle of the participants.
Scientists note that as people age, they tend to postpone breakfast and shorten their "eating window," which may be linked to health problems, including depression, chronic fatigue, or appetite disorders.
At the same time, researchers emphasize that late breakfast is not a direct cause of illness or death, but can serve as a simple and accessible marker of overall health. Regular eating, aligned with circadian rhythms, promotes healthier aging and reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases.
