The study, published in ‘Communications Medicine’, found that the ten-year survival rate is 86.7 percent among those who eat later, compared to 89.5 percent for those who eat earlier.
MADRID (EUROPA PRESS) – Researchers from Massachusetts General Brigham in the United States have linked delayed meal times, particularly breakfast, to an increased mortality risk in older adults, who often experience such changes in eating habits as they age.
The research, appearing in ‘Communications Medicine’, revealed that the ten-year survival rate stands at 86.7 percent for individuals who eat later, versus 89.5 percent for those who eat earlier.
“Our study suggests that alterations in meal timing for the elderly, especially breakfast time, could serve as an easily monitored indicator of their overall health status. Both patients and doctors could use shifts in meal routines as an early warning sign to detect underlying physical and mental health issues,” stated lead author Hassan Dashti, a nutritionist and circadian biologist at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Similarly, he explained that having a later breakfast has been “consistently” linked to both physical and mental health issues, such as depression, fatigue, and oral health problems.
Later eating habits have been associated with difficulties in meal preparation or slower sleep patterns. Additionally, individuals genetically predisposed to being night owls have tended to have later meal times.
Until now, there was a “limited” understanding of the connection between meal timing and longevity, which is why it has encouraged older adults to maintain consistent meal times as part of a “broader” strategy to promote healthy aging and longevity.
“Our findings help bridge that gap by showing that a later meal schedule, especially a delayed breakfast, is linked to health problems and an increased risk of mortality in older adults. These results reinforce the adage that ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day,’ particularly for elderly individuals,” Dashti noted.
He also highlighted the significance of these findings at a time when time-restricted eating and intermittent fasting are “gaining popularity”.
This study analyzed data from 2,945 adults aged between 42 and 94 years residing in the United Kingdom, who have been followed for over 20 years.
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