Study links breakfast timing to increased mortality risk

A large-scale study of over 31,000 US adults suggests that the timing of food consumption may be linked to longevity. Published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the research analyzed data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning from 1999 to 2018.

The study found that as the time of the first meal of the day moves later, the risk of mortality increases. Compared to those eating between 7:00 and 8:00 am, individuals consuming their first meal between 8:00 and 10:00 am showed a 10 percent higher risk of death from any cause. This risk rose to 19 percent for those eating between 10:00 am and noon, and 29 percent for those eating after noon.

Cardiovascular mortality showed an even stronger correlation. Participants who consumed their first meal after noon faced a 46 percent higher risk of cardiovascular death compared to those eating between 7:00 and 8:00 am. Researchers noted that while these findings show an association, they do not prove that changing meal times directly alters life expectancy.