Certain habits that we sometimes consider harmless can have negative repercussions on our health, and more particularly on our brain. Among them, skipping breakfast ranks high. If this practice is often trivialized or adopted as part of certain diets, recent studies warn of its harmful long-term effects, particularly on the brain. Not eating in the morning actually accelerates cognitive decline, according to a scientific investigation.
Why you shouldn’t skip breakfast?
Although intermittent fasting is popular for its supposed weight loss benefits, it could have a sneaky impact on the brain. As reported Doctissimoa study of 859 people aged 60 looked at the effects of this habit. The participants, who were cognitively healthy at baseline, were divided according to whether they ate breakfast or not. The latter were then subjected to regular cognitive tests, notably the “Mini Mental State Examination” (MMSE), for a period of three years. Initial results showed no significant difference, but the situation changed over time.
Researchers found that after 36 months, participants who frequently skipped breakfast had significantly lower MMSE scores. In other words, their cognitive state had deteriorated more quickly than that of the other participants. This difference should not be taken lightly: it reflects a decline in cognitive functions essential to maintaining a good quality of life in the elderly. MRI analyzes also revealed marked brain atrophy in 34 participants with a habit of skipping breakfast.
A neurobiological explanation
Scientists attribute these effects to the link between eating habits and neurological restoration. Not consuming food upon waking could lead to an energy deficiency, thus depriving the brain of the resources necessary for its proper functioning. This energy deficiency would affect the repair of brain cells and accelerate neurodegenerative processes, potentially increasing the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, particularly in carriers of the ApoE gene.
Based on this study, eating a balanced breakfast could play a protective role against cognitive decline. This simple daily gesture constitutes an essential source of energy for the brain, especially as we age. While the debate over the importance of breakfast persists, this work provides solid evidence that it is not the most important meal of the day for nothing.
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