Even if you’re running late, at the very least, grab yourself a bagel or juice or…something! No longer is missing breakfast a sign that you’ve probably got too much on your plate (irony!), it’s also bad for your heart.
How so? According to research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, skipping breakfast can lead to an increased risk of atherosclerosis — the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to a build-up of plaque.
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In a recent study, three groups of people were observed: one that skipped breakfast or consumed nothing more than coffee or juice, one that ate a very light breakfast and one that indulged in a larger breakfast. The two groups with the lowest caloric intake at breakfast showed more evidence of atherosclerosis than those who consumed a calorie-dense meal. And according to Science Daily, participants who skipped breakfast had the greatest waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure, blood lipids and fasting glucose levels.
“People who regularly skip breakfast likely have an overall unhealthy lifestyle,” said study author Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC director of Mount Sinai Heart. “This study provides evidence that this is one bad habit people can proactively change to reduce their risk for heart disease.”
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As much as 30 percent of adults skip breakfast, so it should come as no surprised that there’s a growing amount of cardiometabolic abnormalities associated with obesity, according to Dr. Prakash Deedwania, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. She says:
Poor dietary choices are generally made relatively early in life and, if remained unchanged, can lead to clinical cardiovascular disease later on. Adverse effects of skipping breakfast can be seen early in childhood in the form of childhood obesity and although breakfast skippers are generally attempting to lose weight, they often end up eating more and unhealthy foods later in the day. Skipping breakfast can cause hormonal imbalances and alter circadian rhythms.
Mom was right. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. And now we know why.
