Turns out, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day - so get your eggs scrambling.
Over recent years, many Brits of started passing on their beloved brekkies in a bid to lose weight, lower their cholesterol, and improve their blood pressure. Spearheaded by a slew of celebrities and influencers, intermittent fasting encourages people to consume all of their food in a controlled window.
The most popular method is called the Leangains protocol, which involves passing on breakfast and only eating in an eight-hour period (such as 12-8pm). Then, you fast for 16 hours. However, new research says the popular diet could increase your risk of dying from a major health issue.
The study, published by the American Heart Association, surveyed around 20,000 adults in the US with an average age of 49. Participants were analysed for between eight and 17 years and were asked to complete 24-hour dietary recall questionnaires.
It found those who consumed all of their food across less than eight hours per day, which is typical for those intermittent fasting, had a staggering 91 per cent higher risk of death due to cardiovascular disease. Researchers also found a risk of cardiovascular disease for participants living with heart disease or cancer.
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More research is needed to further validate these claims as scientists acknowledge that self-reported dietary information can sometimes lack accuracy. Factors that may play a role in health outside of easting were also not included in the study.
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"We were surprised to find that people who followed an eight-hour, time-restricted eating schedule were more likely to die from cardiovascular disease," said Christopher D. Gardner, Ph.D., FAHA. "Even though this type of diet has been popular due to its potential short-term benefits, our research clearly shows that, compared with a typical eating time range of 12-16 hours per day, a shorter eating duration was not associated with living longer.
"It's crucial for patients, particularly those with existing heart conditions or cancer, to be aware of the association between an eight-hour eating window and increased risk of cardiovascular death. Our study's findings encourage a more cautious, personalised approach to dietary recommendations, ensuring that they are aligned with an individual’s health status and the latest scientific evidence."
The expert added that although an 'association' between an eight-hour eating window and cardiovascular death was found, this does not mean that 'time-restricted eating caused cardiovascular death'.
When it comes to weight loss, many reputable medical bodies argue skipping breakfast is not effective, and can result in binging on food later on. The British Dietetic Association said: "You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry." This sentiment is backed by the NHS, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Dieticians Association of Australia.
The NHS recommends sticking to a healthy breakfast that's full of fibre and protein rather than sugary cereals and processed meat. Ideas include porridge with fruit, scrambled eggs, mushroom on toast, and protein smoothies. If you're overweight and want to shed a few pounds, you can download the NHS' free weight loss plan here.
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