Study Finds Later Breakfast Times Linked to Higher Death Risk In Older Adults

A new study found that eating breakfast later increases mortality risk in older adults. Researchers analyzed health data from 2,945 adults aged 42 to 94 in the United Kingdom from 1983 to 2017. For each hour participants delayed breakfast after 7:30 a.m., their chance of dying during the 34-year study period increased by 8 to 11 percent. Lead author Hassan S. Dashti, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, explains “breakfast timing may reflect underlying changes in physiology, such as reduced morning appetite, fatigue, or health problems that make it harder to start the day.” The study suggests breakfast timing serves as a health marker rather than a direct cause. Dashti recommends eating “about one hour after waking” to align with natural circadian rhythms and metabolic readiness. (Story URL)