BARCELONA: A new study conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health has found that eating an early breakfast may significantly reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. The research, which followed over 100,000 participants for a period of seven years, revealed that eating breakfast after 9 a.m. increased the risk of type-2 diabetes by 59 percent compared to those who consumed breakfast before 8 a.m.
The findings suggest that not only the content of our diet but also the timing of meals plays a crucial role in preventing the onset of diabetes. Type-2 diabetes has been associated with various modifiable risk factors, such as an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and smoking. However, the study highlights that the timing of meals, especially breakfast, can also have a significant impact on the disease’s risk.
Skipping Breakfast Raises Risk of Developing Type-2 Diabetes
Moreover, the study also revealed that skipping breakfast altogether raises the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. Interestingly, the researchers noted that having a late dinner after 10 p.m. also seemed to increase the risk. On the other hand, individuals who ate more frequently, about five times a day, had a lower incidence of the disease.
The research emphasizes that prolonged fasting can be beneficial, but only if it involves having an early breakfast before 8 a.m. and an early dinner. This pattern of meal timing was associated with a reduced risk of developing type-2 diabetes.
