Meal timing affects longevity

Experts from the Massachusetts General Hospital and their colleagues have been monitoring almost three thousand people aged 42 to 94 for more than 20 years. During this time, they noticed a curious pattern: over the years, people start eating breakfast and dinner later, and the gap between meals narrows.

Interesting fact: the further breakfast is postponed, the higher the likelihood of health problems. Late meals were more often accompanied by fatigue, poor sleep, difficulty cooking, and even depression. In addition, those who had breakfast later than everyone else had a higher risk of early death.

This dependence was especially noticeable in people who are called “owls” — those who by nature go to bed and get up late. Their shifted sleep rhythm coincided with later meals, which, according to the study, could be associated with adverse health effects.

Scientists conclude that breakfast time can become a simple but indicative marker of the body’s condition. If a person suddenly begins to change their usual meal schedule, this may be a signal to pay attention to their physical or mental state.

Hassan Dashti, the lead author of the study, notes that regular eating is one of the foundations of healthy aging. And now the old phrase that “breakfast is the main meal” gets a new meaning.