The Importance of Breakfast
You’ve probably been told all of your life that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It powers your body from your brain to your feet and it is a major factor in overall health and a healthy lifestyle. New research shows importance of breakfast goes beyond these well-known reasons.
Research on The Importance of Breakfast
A recent study shows that people who eat little to no breakfast are at higher risk of atherosclerosis, the build-up of plaque in arteries. This is a risk factor of heart disease, the leading cause of death among men and women in the U.S. Additionally, people who skipped breakfast altogether or consumed a very low calorie breakfast had higher blood pressure, higher cholesterol levels, a greater fasting glucose level and weighed more, all contributors to heart disease as well.
Researchers were not able to pinpoint the exact reasons why breakfast causes plaque build-up but they did cite a few areas of relevance. First, people who eat breakfast generally have healthier lifestyle habits which may reduce risk of heart disease and other life-threatening health conditions. Those who skip breakfast are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, have poor diets, not exercise and become obese.
Furthermore, skipping breakfast causes hormonal imbalances and interferes with natural body rhythms. The body needs nutrients to burn for energy to fuel every bodily function. When that doesn’t happen, especially after fasting overnight, the body can become out of whack.
Additional Benefits of Breakfast
Along with lowered risk of atherosclerosis, the importance of breakfast extends to many benefits for your body. As we just mentioned, you need it for energy. Eating breakfast can help perk you up in the morning and sustain your energy throughout the day. If you drink caffeine, be sure to have protein in your breakfast to carry that boost for longer.
Getting your morning energy helps increase your brain power for the day too. Concentration and memory skyrocket with a good breakfast and so does your mood. Plus as your metabolism is churning to rev your body, you are also burning through calories. People who eat breakfast usually have a healthier BMI.
Chances are if you are a breakfast eater you are getting more valuable nutrients in your day. Barring a few unhealthy breakfast choices like fatty meats, doughnuts and other fried foods, breakfast foods like eggs, yogurt, oatmeal, cereal, whole grain breads and fruit all add tremendous nutritional value to your day.
The importance of breakfast for your heart, brain and entire body is enormous. So listen to that advice you’ve been given all your life and stop skipping the most important meal of the day.
Sources: Real Simple, Time and Inc.
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