Study Finds Late Breakfast Could Shorten Your Life
A new study suggests that eating breakfast earlier in the day could play an important role in healthy ageing and even increase life expectancy. Researchers found that people who delayed breakfast and ate dinner later in the evening faced higher risks of fatigue, depression, oral health problems, and even earlier death.
The findings, published in Communications Medicine, add to growing evidence that meal timing, not just what we eat, matters for long-term health.
How the Study Was Conducted
Scientists from Mass General Brigham, a Harvard-affiliated hospital system, tracked nearly 3,000 adults in the UK for an average of 22 years. Participants were between 42 and 94 years old, with an average age of 64. About 71 per cent were women.
The team analysed health surveys, sleep data, and blood samples collected over time. Death records were also linked through the UK’s National Health Service, showing that 2,361 participants had died by the end of the study period.
Participants typically had breakfast at 8:22 a.m., lunch at 12:38 p.m., and dinner at 5:51 p.m. However, as people aged, their mealtimes gradually shifted later into the day.
Breakfast Timing Linked to Longevity
One of the clearest findings was that eating breakfast earlier was linked to better overall health and survival. Participants who delayed their first meal reported more fatigue, mood disturbances such as depression and anxiety, and a higher rate of oral health problems.
Statistically, each one-hour delay in breakfast time was tied to an 8 per cent higher risk of death over the following decade, even after adjusting for factors like smoking, alcohol use, socioeconomic status, and sleep patterns.
When comparing overall survival rates, 89.5 per cent of “early eaters” lived at least another 10 years compared to 87 per cent of “late eaters.”
Dinner Timing and Oral Health
The study also revealed that eating dinner later in the evening was linked to more oral health problems. Researchers believe late-night eating may alter levels of bacteria and acid in the mouth, weakening teeth and gums over time.
Why Meal Timing Matters
The researchers suggest that late meals may disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm, an internal 24-hour clock that regulates sleep, hormones, body temperature, and digestion.
When meals are pushed later, signals between the gut, liver, and brain can fall out of sync. This misalignment may impair metabolism, blood sugar regulation, and sleep quality, all of which increase the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Expert Insights
Dr. Hassan Dashti, the study’s lead author and a nutrition scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital, highlighted how critical meal timing can be. He noted that eating later in the day, especially postponing breakfast, may serve as an early indicator of declining health in older adults. According to him, maintaining steady meal routines and prioritising eating breakfast earlier could play a valuable role in promoting healthy ageing and extending lifespan.
Key Takeaways
- Eating breakfast earlier is linked to a lower risk of death, fatigue, and depression.
- Late dinner habits may increase oral health problems.
- Each hour of breakfast delay raises the risk of death by about 8 per cent.
- Meal timing could serve as an early warning sign for underlying health issues.
Conclusion
This study reinforces the age-old advice that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” For older adults, especially, eating breakfast earlier and sticking to regular mealtimes could be a simple, practical way to support healthy ageing and possibly extend life expectancy.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
- Health News and Updates,People Forum
- 8 September 2025
- 09:00
